After a loss in the series opener Friday night against Bowling Green, coach Rob Smith wanted just one thing: A win.
The Bobcats then delivered just that, winning 12-2 on Saturday afternoon at Bob Wren Stadium.
Ohio (6-18, 2-3 Mid-American Conference) finally put together a complete game both in the offense and the pitching. The Bobcats cruised to an easy victory, tying a season high in scoring, in the second of three games against Bowling Green.
The Bobcats started early when Rudy Rott and Tanner Piechnick smashed back-to-back home runs to left field, which scored three runs.
“That brings great energy to the team,” Smith said. “When you can score early like that, and certainly when you can score on back-to-back home runs.”
This gave Ohio starter Jack Liberatore a great head start on the Falcons.
“Once I got out there it was just about getting ahead for me and throwing strikes,” Liberatore said. “It was a good fit for me today.”
Liberatore didn’t need that cushion, though, he allowed just five hits and one run in five innings. He also struck out six Bowling Green batters, three of which were looking.
Rott singled to center field and scored Trevor Lukkes in the third inning, which extended the Bobcats’ lead to four. Ohio then added on two more in the fourth when Aaron Levy was walked home with the bases loaded, and Trevor Hafner scored on a wild pitch.
The Bobcats’ mistakes from Friday became the Falcons’ mistakes on Saturday.
Bowling Green left six runners on base in the first five innings and were only able to score one run despite five hits.
The lack of scoring ability left the Falcons weak against Ohio’s scoring barrage.
After scoring six runs in the first four innings, the Bobcats added another two when Lukkes hit yet another home run to left field in the sixth. Lukkes went three of four on the day with three hits, three runs, two RBIs and a home run.
The Falcons did have a small comeback and a home run of their own though. Joe McGuinness hit a solo home run to center field to bring them a little closer, but Ohio was just too much.
In the bottom of the eighth, Bowling Green couldn’t get the last out and the Bobcats punished them for that. Ohio scored four runs and to extend its lead.
The Bobcats are facing Bowling Green in the last game of the series on Sunday afternoon. Ohio could win its first Mid-American Conference series of the season.
