Ohio (1-6) has never needed a home series more than it does right now. After losing six of its first seven games, the Bobcats will be looking to use its home field as a vessel to get back on track before conference play begins next week.
Butler (3-4), who has shared some of Ohio’s struggles to start the year, will be the team coming into Athens. The Bulldogs had a terrible first weekend, allowing 58 runs in four games against Tarleton State. Since Week One, Butler has bounced back with a series win against Norfolk State but will still come to Athens coming off a midweek loss on the road to Louisville.
Here is everything you need to know before the series:
Series Information
Opponent: Butler (3-4)
Location: Bob Wren Stadium
Times: Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Where to watch: Friday and Sunday’s games can be seen on ESPN+ while Saturday’s game can be streamed here
Follow Live Stats here
Projected pitching matchups
Friday: Blake Gaskey (6.75 ERA) for Ohio versus Ben Whiteside (7.0 ERA) for Butler
Saturday: Jacob Tate (15.43 ERA) for Ohio versus Marcus Goodpaster for Butler (3.00 ERA)
Sunday: Dillon Masters (1.00 ERA)for Ohio versus Tate Foxson (16.2 ERA) for Butler
Meet the opponent
Head coach: Blake Beemer (third season)
Statistical leaders:
Batting average: Jack Moroknek (.438)
Home runs: Moroknek (6)
RBI: Moroknek (10)
Extra base hits: Moroknek (10)
Walks: Tommy Townsend (9)
ERA: Goodpaster (3.00)
Strikeouts: Whiteside (10)
Ohio notes
In Ohio’s most recent series with West Georgia, it found some success off the mound but couldn’t get much going at the plate in a two-to-one-series loss. In its first series of the year, it was the opposite; pitching struggled to limit runs while the offense came out hot.
In Week Three, Ohio will be looking to put it all together and tally its first series win of the season. Starting pitcher Blake Gaskey will look to build off a bounce-back outing at West Georgia, where he went six scoreless innings.
The most significant storyline to watch for Ohio on offense is freshman second baseman Matt Ineich, who has successfully recorded a hit in each of his first six collegiate games*.
Player to watch: Jack Moroknek
Junior outfielder Jack Moroknek has been one of the hottest hitters in the nation to start the season, tallying a home run in six of Butler's first seven games. The Carmel, Indiana, native will be looking to take advantage of some of Ohio’s struggling pitchers when playing in a smaller ballpark like Bob Wren. Ohio’s offense will have to do all it can to keep pace with Moroknek if he continues the tear that he’s on.
