Ohio took another hit frim Xavier, losing after leading again yesterday 4-3.

For the second night in a row the Ohio Bobcats endured a tough loss as the Xavier Musketeers mounted a ninth-inning rally to blemish the starting pitching performance of Yale Silverman.

Silverman tossed four scoreless innings and Ohio pitchers held Xavier (13-27) in check until the Muskies tagged relievers Dan Weiss and Kurt Smith for two runs in the ninth leading to a 4-3 Ohio loss.

“We’re frustrated,” Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. “We still don’t do enough things well—I’ve been that saying all year—to win ball games.”

After giving up back-to-back singles with two outs in the first inning, Silverman retired the next eight batters in a row.

“I was just trying to get ahead early with speed stuff and fastballs,” Silverman said. “I was hoping it would work out, but it was a disappointing night.”

Silverman’s streak was interrupted by a Sean Brewer double over the head of centerfielder Willie Walker during the top of the fourth inning. However, strong relay throws from Walker and infielder Dusty Hammond nabbed Brewer at third trying to get an extra base.

Ohio (12-18) managed to push across a run during its first inning. With one out back-to-back singles from Walker and outfielder Anthony Gressick scored J.T. Osburn who led-off with a walk.

Bryant Witt began another Ohio rally in the sixth, leading-off with a double to the left-center gap. The Bobcats increased their lead to a more comfortable level when Gressick and pinch-hitter Matt Stiffler added RBI singles for a 3-0 Ohio lead.

Xavier got on the board in the seventh to cut the deficit to 3-1, but would later take the lead in a disastrous ninth inning for Ohio pitchers.

Gressick lined a double to left field to begin the Ohio eighth as the ’Cats loaded the bases with no outs. However, three straight fly-outs curtailed the Bobcats rally.

“When we didn’t score with no outs and the bases loaded, I knew that would come up big,” Carbone said.

Weiss retired the first batter of the Xavier ninth, but followed by allowing the next two batters to reach base. Kurt Smith entered in relief, but could not shut the door. Brewer delivered another blow, a two-out, two-run double off the left field wall giving Xavier a 4-3 lead.

“We’re trying to get ready,” Silverman said. “We’re trying to get on the winning ways, and it hurts to come out and not win today but hopefully we can get it back together and go take Buffalo this weekend.”

Ohio returns to conference play this weekend when the Bobcats visit Buffalo for a three-game series.