Despite only two hits, the Bobcats found a way to win their fourth straight game, all of which came on the road.
Ohio (14-24, 8-7 MAC) capped off its road trip with a 3-2 comeback win over Youngstown State on Tuesday.
Standout freshman pitcher Joe Rock kept the Bobcats in the game by only allowing one run in six innings of work in his third straight excellent start.
But he didn’t get much help.
With Rock on the mound, Ohio mustered just one hit and one run. That run came when Rudy Rott hit a double to tie the game in the sixth inning.
The Bobcats next two runs came without a hit in the inning.
Youngstown State pitcher Brandon Matthews loaded the bases with two walks and hit a batter. Michael Richardson hit a sacrifice fly to bring the go-ahead runner in, and Matthews did the rest by letting the eventual game-winning run score on a wild pitch.
But the lack of production against a pitcher that came in with a 17.22 ERA is nothing to be ignored.
Ohio will return home for a pivotal three game series against Kent State, who lies just ahead of the Bobcats in the Mid-American Conference standings.
The Golden Flashes have a strong bullpen that features four pitchers who have all kept their opponents batting average below .260.
Kent State is also coming off a series win against the same Northern Illinois team that swept Ohio earlier this month.
To win that series the Bobcats will have to find some offensive production and continue to just find a way to win.
