Chris Mackler / Senior Photographer / cm285504@ohiou.edu

Ohio infielder Brandon Besl, pictured here in last Saturday’s game against Kent State, went 2-for-4 last night at Ohio’s 12-1 victory against Wilmington at Ohio’s Bob Wren Stadium.

A collection of quality pitching performances combined with consistent Bobcat hitting fueled the Ohio baseball team to a decisive win last night over the Wilmington Quakers.

Ohio (16-21) scored in all but two of its at-bats as the ’Cats rolled over Wilmington (14-17) to a 12-1 victory.

“We had some people get out there and get some work pitching wise,” coach Joe Carbone said. “And I thought most of them did a pretty good job and I thought we swung the bats fairly decent.”

The Bobcats jumped on the board early manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first. Outfielder Matt Stiffler led off the inning with an infield single followed by a Dusty Hammond walk. Stiffler tagged to third on an Anthony Gressick fly ball and scored on a Willie Walker sacrifice fly.

Kurt Smith took over for starter Yale Silverman (2-2) in the third inning. Wilmington loaded the bases with two outs, but third baseman Hayden Johnston turned in an outstanding defensive play at first to nab the third out, ending the Quaker threat.

Johnston led the Bobcats’ half of the third with a double down the left field line. Once again the ’Cats scored as Johnston advanced on consecutive fly balls to give Ohio a 2-0 lead.

Cody Neyman entered for the ’Cats in the fifth inning for his first appearance since March 7 against Cleveland State. Neyman did not show any rust as he mowed down the Quakers for a one-two-three inning.

“It felt real good,” Neyman said. “I’ve been injured so it felt good to get out there and pitch some.”

Neyman pitched one and two-thirds innings, striking out one while allowing no runs and one hit.

Catcher Jason Selhorst collected the first of three straight hits for Ohio to lead off the fifth inning as the Bobcats scored three more times to take a 5-1 advantage. Ohio tacked on two more runs in both the sixth and seventh to take a commanding 9-1 lead.

However, the Bobcat offense was not done as Stiffler and Walker tagged a pair of home runs to round out Ohio’s scoring for the day. Stiffler finished the day 4-for-5 with three RBIs.

“I’ve been working on my swing,” Stiffler said. “I’m finally getting my stroke back. It feels good.”

Walker, who had four RBIs, and Bryant Witt, who was 2-for-3 on the day, extended their hitting streaks to 15 and 16 consecutive games, respectively.

Ohio plays host to Mid-American Conference foe Akron at 6 p.m. Friday in the first of a three-game weekend series at Bob Wren Stadium.