The crack of bats from Bob Wren Stadium last Tuesday night meant one thing: it’s baseball season — unofficially.
While the regular season doesn’t start until February, the Bobcats have a short fall tune-up schedule to regroup from the summer. For Ohio, that means regrouping from a 23-29 record this past spring, as well as moving on from the departure of Mitch Longo, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians.
Longo — who left Ohio after being drafted in the 14th round and eventually being assigned to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers — left lofty expectations for his younger brother, Jack Longo, to meet, as Mitch Longo racked up such accolades as 2015 MAC Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC and ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Mideast All-Region Second Team.
But the fall also means the introduction of new freshmen, which senior Ty Black is looking forward to.
“We’re focused on this fall and the (upcoming) spring,” Black said.
He posted a .261 batting average last season and is among a group of 27 returners, which includes senior pitcher Jake Rudnicki and sophomore infielder/catcher Rudy Rott.
With such experience coming back, coach Rob Smith will look to his returning players to help freshman players adjust from high school ball to college.
“I’m looking for leadership and a sense of maturity,” Smith said.
Of the freshman players who could make an impact this season, Jack Longo stands out.
As the Bobcats dive further into the fall ball season, Smith is looking to see improvement daily and to establish an identity. He hopes to rely on upperclassmen to reinvigorate a newfound chemistry for the team this coming spring.
The Bobcats are in action Sept. 24 and 25 as they play their Green & White scrimmage.
