After tying a season-high five-game losing streak, the Ohio baseball team broke out of its slump, taking both ends of a doubleheader against Buffalo to win its second conference series of the season.
Ohio (14-19, 7-8 Mid-American Conference) lost the series opener, 4-3, despite leading until the eighth inning. Derek Witt went eight innings for the ’Cats, but Buffalo (10-26, 3-12 MAC) mounted a three-run rally to push ahead. The Bobcats were unable to retaliate.
“You hate to waste a good pitching performance,” Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. “But we have to give Buffalo credit. They hit a home run with two out and two strikes on the hitter, bottom of the eighth.”
The Bobcats ended their losing ways Saturday as the offense erupted to win both games in a twin bill by scores of 11-6 and 17-4.
“I was very proud of how the guys performed, especially after coming off a tough loss Friday,” Carbone said.
Ohio and Buffalo traded runs early, but a five-spot in the fourth proved to be the difference as Bobcat starting pitcher Anthony Gressick and reliever Yale Silverman subdued the Bulls.
The Ohio bats continued to be hot during the day’s second contest. Infielders Hayden Johnston and Bryant Witt contributed three hits in each game to boost the offense while Jared Willis and Kirk Payne added a pair of homeruns.
Willis’ home run was of the inside-the-park variety, coming in the second inning.
“The outfielder ran into the fence and the ball bounced away from him,” Carbone said. “It was an inside-the-park homerun, which not too many people in their lives have ever got, and he has. It was pretty exciting.”
Starter John Angelicchi left the game in the second after he was injured on a line drive that struck his leg. Chris Rigo tossed two innings and Silverman threw six innings in his second appearance of the day.
Combined with solid relief work, Ohio exploded for 14 runs between the fourth and eighth innings as the Bobcats cruised to victory.
“(Silverman) did a great job for us this weekend,” Carbone said.
Before Ohio’s series with Buffalo, Silverman described his approach going into the weekend.
“You have to go in there and throw strikes and you hope (the hitters) get themselves out,” Silverman said. “Whatever happens from there happens from there.”
Silverman finished the day throwing eight innings, allowing only one run and striking out seven. Over his last 12 innings, Silverman has allowed just one run.
Ohio plays host to Duquesne 6 p.m. Tuesday in its last home non-conference game of year.
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