Ohio scored 13 runs on 17 hits, but it wasn’t enough; it dropped a mid-week, non-conference slugfest at Morehead State, which scored 19 runs on 20 hits, in part to Ryley Preece’s three-homerun outing in the 19-14 loss.
The Eagles broke a seven-game skid and got back to .500 after battering the Bobcats.
The game started out in Ohio’s favor after Will Sturek followed up a single by Mason Minzey with a two-run home run, his fourth this season. It was the first of seven in the three-hour affair but only one of two for Ohio. Cole Williams hit a two-run shot in the sixth inning while also going 5-for-5 on the day.
However, the early lead was brief, as Morehead State exploded for an eight-run second inning after Preece hit another solo shot. It was the first of five lead changes in the game and the first of four multi-run innings for the Eagles.
The Bobcats found themselves ahead in the fifth inning when they scored nine runs from the third to the fifth inning to bring the score to 11-9. Colin Kasperbauer, Alex Finney and Nick Dolan all batted in multiple runs in the afternoon; Alec Patino singled in Clay Cutter for his singular RBI.
Offense was obviously of no concern for Ohio – five players recorded multiple RBIs and six had multiple hits – its pitching staff doomed them. None of the seven pitchers who took the mound stayed in the game for two whole innings, and Luke Borer was the only one who didn’t record an earned run.
The Eagles recorded five season-high home runs, including three off of Carter Sabol in his four-out, eight-earned run start. Adam Beery and Patrick DeMarco were also taken deep in their brief relief appearances – the latter took the loss, which makes him 0-1 on the year. The collective Bobcat staff allowed the Eagles to achieve its season highs in at-bats, runs, hits and home runs. They only struck out five batters and gave up seven walks.
The death blow was given over the course of the sixth through the eighth inning when the Eagles took a final and commanding 19-13 lead. Although, they walked in a Bobcat in the top of the ninth, making the final score 19-14.
If Ohio plans to retain its spot in the MAC tournament, it must keep its bats hot and arms rested before the conference restarts over the weekend.
