The ice has begun to melt from the bricks in Athens as the calendar flips to March. With March comes spring and with spring comes more sunny Bobcat baseball games on the turf at Bob Wren Stadium.
It was a disappointing season at Bob Wren in 2024 as Ohio could not eclipse a .500 record for the first time since the shortened 2020 season. With a reinforced roster and a clean slate of games, Ohio is looking to put together another season where it returns to the Mid-American Conference tournament in May.
Here is everything you need to know about Ohio’s 2025 baseball season before Friday's first pitch.
Expectations
In the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Ohio was picked to finish eighth in the conference. Ohio coach Craig Moore said he doesn’t agree with the ranking but also knows preseason rankings shouldn’t be read into.
Although teams never want to be ranked outside the top 5, Ohio's ranking in the bottom half of the conference isn’t entirely without reason. In 2024, the Bobcats suffered their first losing season since Moore took over as head coach in 2021.
“My goal is to use (the rankings) as motivation for the team,” Moore said. “This is what your peers in your conference think about you. Still, it’s not about where you start; it’s about where you finish.”
Ohio’s primary struggles in 2024 came from a pitching staff that finished the season with a combined 8.29 ERA. In 2025, Moore is confident his newly formed pitching unit can bounce back.
“The biggest thing on the pitching side is that we have to stay healthy,” Moore said. “If we can stay healthy and get some confidence going on the mound, I think that that could be an area of improvement from years past.”
Moore is equally confident his team can exceed expectations in 2025 and return to Avon for the MAC tournament.
“It’s going to come down to how we can pitch,” Moore said. “I think we’ll be able to play defense, and I think we’ll be able to do enough offensively ... I think if we can get our starting rotation healthy and solidified then we’ll start to see some more positive results.”
The roster
Ohio had one of the youngest rosters in the conference in 2024, meaning some of its key pieces, especially in the pitching staff, have stuck around for 2025.
Both of Ohio’s leaders in ERA last season, Blake Gaskey and Dillon Masters, are back for another season. Gaskey is expected to be Ohio’s Friday starter, while Masters will join him in the rotation, likely pitching on Sundays.
Ohio’s weekend rotation will be rounded out by veteran leader Jacob Tate, who has been dealing with an injury for the last couple months.
“Each individual is different in their response to injury,” Moore said. “He’s been hurt every year for us. Fingers crossed we don’t have to worry about that again.”
Ohio’s offense was impacted the most by transfers and graduates, but it will still return a couple of key pieces from 2024. Current sophomores Pauly Mancino and JR Nelson will be important starters for the Bobcats after successful freshman campaigns.
Catcher Jackson Cauthron, who hit .278 with four home runs in 2024, is back for another season as well. Moore cited Cauthron as potentially the most improved player going into 2025.
Much like last season, Ohio’s everyday lineup will be impacted by true freshmen. Matt Ineich is one freshman Ohio fans should keep an eye on. Coming from the Detroit area, Ineich is expected to fill a utility infield role for the Bobcats but most of his time will be at second base.
On the pitching side, freshman Hunter Winston, a 6-foot-4-inch left-hander from Hinckley, Ohio, is expected to see some time out of the bullpen this season.
As for new transfers, it may take a couple of weeks to see a significant impact from them. Moore said a handful of pitchers are still battling injuries they sustained at different points in the last couple of months and will not be ready when the season starts.
Ohio lost not only substantial statistical production but also some of the team's most vocal leaders. Most notably, longtime Bobcats Gideon Antle and Alex Finney will not be with the team this season. In their place, Moore has been pleased with his senior class and their ability to step up as leaders.
“You need to have leaders in both areas: the pitching side and the offensive side,” Moore said. “At the same time, I think you need to have one real common strong voice for the team. I think (Jacob Tate and Nick Dolan) are two really strong candidates for that role.“*
The schedule
Ohio’s nonconference schedule is not nearly as demanding as last season. The Bobcats won’t take on a Power Four opponent in any of its nonconference series.
Ohio's most difficult early season test will be its opening weekend tilt with Wofford, which had an overall record of 42-20 last season while winning the Southern Conference and making a run to the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio’s other full-series nonconference opponents are Butler and West Georgia before MAC play, along with a middle-of-the-year nonconference matchup at home with the Virginia Military Institute.
The Bobcats will have a rare February home opener against Butler during Week Three of the season Feb. 28. The team will open MAC play the next weekend with Bowling Green at home.
Other notable dates include a home series against rival Miami from April 25-27 and a home series against the MAC’s preseason No. 1 Ball State from May 9-11.
Ohio has a couple of noteworthy midweek nonconference games, including a game at Ohio State May 6 and a game at West Virginia Feb. 25.
“Our nonconference schedule is a little easier this year; we’re not playing as many power-five games as we have the last two years. That makes a big difference,” Moore said.
