Ohio’s offense mostly struggled in its three-game series against South Carolina Upstate last weekend in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Bobcats dropped their first game Friday and split their doubleheader Saturday.
Here’s what happened in each game:
Friday
Ohio played its first extra-innings game to open the series, but it still struggled to mount any offense against SC Upstate and lost 2-1.
The Bobcats recorded only two hits but kept pace with the Spartans behind clean performances from some of its top pitchers.
Ohio starter Kenny Ogg tossed six innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out eight batters. Eddie Kutt and Brett Manis followed with five combined scoreless innings, but Braxton Kelly took the loss after the Spartans singled home the winning run in the 12th inning.
Saturday (Game 1)
The Bobcats had their best offensive game of the year in the first leg of the doubleheader, but Ohio’s pitching struggles countered the offensive success in a 3-2 loss.
Ohio’s 10 hits, including three-hit days from Rudy Rott and Trevor Lukkes, still weren’t enough to pull ahead of SC Upstate. Ohio starter Joe Rock pitched five innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits and three walks.
The Bobcats struggled most on the mound, however, in the seventh inning when Matt Brosky allowed five runs, all earned on five singles and suddenly faced a late four-run deficit.
Ohio scored one run in the ninth, but couldn’t complete the comeback and extended its losing streak to seven games.
Saturday (Game 2)
Ohio’s offense couldn’t pick up on its performance from Game 1, but the Bobcats’ pitching shut down the Spartans long enough to secure a win and avoid the series sweep. The Bobcats snapped their seven-game losing streak and won their first contest since Feb. 16.
Ohio starter Jack Liberatore pitched seven shutout innings and allowed five hits and no walks while striking out six batters. Ohio nearly blew its lead in the ninth inning when SC Upstate scored its lone run — an unearned run off Eamon Horwedel — and loaded the bases with two outs.
Manis escaped the danger, however, and recorded his second save of the season.
What’s next
Ohio will travel to Dayton next weekend to play one game against the Flyers on Friday, two games against Wright State on Saturday and one game against Canisius on Sunday.
