Ohio (0-3) did some good things against Wofford (3-0) during the opening weekend of the 2025 season but ultimately was unable to scratch off a win in three hard-fought games. The Bobcats got close in games two and three, falling by only one run, but couldn’t do enough to overcome some lofty pitching woes to get the win.
Here is everything to know from Ohio’s opening weekend against Wofford.
Game one
There was some evident rust on Ohio’s side in game one of the series. Veteran Blake Gaskey started the game on the mound for the Bobcats and would surrender 3 runs before the first inning closed. From the first pitch onward, Wofford dominated the game, eventually winning by mercy rule 11-1 in the eighth inning.
Gaskey provided three-and-a-third innings pitched for Ohio but wasn’t all that successful in any of them. The senior right-handed pitcher surrendered at least one run in each inning he pitched, accounting for a final line of 7 earned runs allowed for the game.
The Ohio offense didn’t have much to cheer for, either. Only three batters tallied hits during the game, and the Bobcat’s sole run of the day was brought in on a wild pitch. Sophomore outfielder Pauly Mancino scored Ohio’s lone run after tallying a double to start the fourth inning.
Wofford third baseman James Layman had no problem getting on base against Ohio, going three-for-four at the plate including 2 runs scored and two RBIs.
Ohio relief pitcher Trey Barkman had the most successful day on the mound of the three pitchers Ohio used in the first game. Barkman provided two-and-a-third innings for the Bobcats, where he allowed only 1 earned run. Unfortunately for Barkman, the one earned run is all Wofford needed to win the game by mercy rule in the eighth.
Game two
The most exciting game of the series came in game two of Friday’s doubleheader, where Ohio would hold the lead for the first eight-and-a-half innings before surrendering a walk-off walk in the bottom half of the ninth.
Dillon Masters took the mound for the Bobcats and turned in the best outing of any Ohio pitcher during the series. In his first start of the season, Masters went four innings, allowing just three hits and no runs scored.
Although Masters dominated from the hill, the Ohio offense got off to a hot start with 4 runs in the first inning. A triple from Ohio first baseman Trae Cassidy plated 2 of Ohio’s 4 runs in the inning.
Ohio played small ball, scoring 6 runs without a home run before Wofford could get anything going on offense. With a 6-run lead in the sixth inning, it seemed like Ohio would coast to a win. However, Ohio’s bullpen was hit hard in the game’s final three innings, allowing Wofford to come back for the win.
The Terrier comeback started when junior college transfer Dylan Eggl took the mound in relief for his first game as a Bobcat. Eggl survived only one inning, allowing 4 runs on four hits.
Needing only three outs for the win, Ohio rolled out reliever Landon Price in the ninth for his fourth inning of work. Fatigued, Price struggled to throw strikes in the inning. After a lead-off walk, Wofford strung a couple of hits together to put pressure on Ohio.
An error on the Ohio infield forced Ohio coach Craig Moore to go to his bullpen in the form of reliever Jack Geiser.
Geiser immediately allowed a two-RBI single to tie the game with only one out in the inning. After an intentional walk to the next batter, Gesier faced Wofford’s Logan Tribble with the bases loaded. Three balls before Geiser’s first strike led to the game-ending walk.
Game three
Ohio and Wofford went back and forth for the entirety of game three. After the Terriers scored 4 runs in the first inning, quickly taking Ohio starter Jacob Tate out of the game, Ohio responded with 4 runs of its own in the second.
There were six total lead changes with the game ending 13-12 in Wofford’s favor.
Ohio’s offense had its best day Sunday, tallying 11 earned runs in a 12-run performance. Outfielder Ben Slanker led the way for the Bobcats with four RBIs, including a two-run home run, to take the lead in the third inning.
Fellow outfielder Trenton Neuer continued his impressive weekend with three hits and three RBIs. In an all-around impressive offensive day, freshman Matt Ineich gained some confidence at the plate, tallying a team-leading four hits in six at-bats.
Senior Hudson Boncal would be charged with the loss in relief after surrendering 6 runs in three-and-two-thirds innings pitched.
Fellow senior Tyler Peck came in and had a brilliant day in relief for Ohio, effectively keeping the Bobcats within reach of a comeback win. However, Peck’s two-and-a-third scoreless inning performance wasn’t enough.
