Last weekend didn’t go well for Ohio (6-16, 2-7 Mid-American Conference). The team went against the MAC’s worst offense in Toledo and came away with back-to-back losses to end the three-game series, including a 1-0 shutout loss.
Tuesday matchups don’t have the same implication, with no impact on conference standings, but for Ohio it’s been a valuable experience for its younger players. Ohio utilized four freshman pitchers in its previous Tuesday matchup against Dayton, and will likely look to do the same against Northern Kentucky, prioritizing experience while trying to execute better.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the matchup:
Game information
Opponent: Northern Kentucky (13-9, 4-2 Horizon)
Location: Bill Aker Baseball Complex (Highland Heights, Kentucky)
Time: Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Meet the opponent
Head coach
Dizzy Peyton (fourth season)
Projected starters
Northern Kentucky: Bobby Bartlett (7.82 ERA and 13 strikeouts)
Ohio: Hunter Winston (11.74 ERA and three strikeouts)
Statistical leaders
Batting average: Logen Devenport (.423)
Hits: Gabe Miranda (35)
Home runs: Miranda and Josh Williams (8)
RBI: Miranda (36)
ERA: Kaden Echeman (3.46)
Strikeouts: Echeman (38)
Innings pitched: Connor Linn (29.0)
Ohio notes
It’s been about experimentation and experience for Ohio in its midweek matchups, as this team attempts to find a handful of reliable bullpen options. Ohio coach Craig Moore has yet to find that answer, with up-and-down performances from every first year he’s tried.
Julian Robertson and Hunter Winston have been among the more reliable first-year pitching options, while others have seen immense struggles. Ohio’s offense maintains explosive, but one bad inning left to the bullpen has been the recipe for disaster for Ohio throughout the season.
Players to watch: The freshman pitchers
Last Tuesday against Dayton, Ohio utilized four first-year pitchers. Ohio coach Craig Moore started with *Hunter Winston, who returned an overall positive three innings, but was immediately relieved by an onslaught of an inning hosted by fellow first-year Jimmy Cerha. The other two newcomers to the mound that afternoon, *Luke Bryant and Julian Robertson, turned in up-and-down innings, with wild pitches and unlucky bounces.
Ohio will likely go back to this freshman foursome for a majority of innings on the mound, but, as Moore has stated, execution will need to improve.
