Matt Schlarb was not about to be part of another Bobcats’ bullpen collapse. After three Ohio relievers let a 9-0 Ohio over Cincinnati lead turn into a 9-6 game, coach Joe Carbone turned to the junior reliever, who promptly struck out two of the Bearcats’ batters with the bases loaded.
Followingthis close call with disaster in the sixth, Ohio avoided any further problems and pounded the Bearcats’ pitchers, defeating Cincinnati 18-6yesterday.
“It was big to get out of that inning and score a couple of more (runs), so they didn’t make a comeback,” Schlarb said.“My arm felt good today, and I was sticking with my fastballs and got them to swing at it.”
Carbone credited the right-hander with coming up huge at the most critical juncture in the inning.
“That was a big part of the game,” Carbone said. “I thought he did a great job.”
Matt Stiffler led the Bobcats with three hits, including a three-run homerun to right field in the fourth and another three-run long shot in the eighth as Ohio broke out of its mini-slump with a season-high 24 hits.
Every Bobcat starter notched a hit in the game, and Marc Krauss, Brandon Besl, Chris Klimko and Jeremie Rehak all added home runs for a season-high seven homers in the game.
The Bobcats built a nine-run lead through the first five innings, including four runs in the fourth inning on Stiffler’s long ball. The two home runs by the center fielder give him 10 on the season, after only hitting three a year ago.
“I’m not really sure actually,” Stiffler said of his added power at the plate. “I’m just seeing the ball well this year, and when I’m swinging, it’s going out of the park. I’m getting lucky.”
Cincinnati,which failed to take batting practice before the game because of a late arrival to Bob Wren Stadium, had its own version against the Bobcat pitchers in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 9-6.
Pitchers Mike Babin, Kurt Smith and Adam Goodpasture were responsible for the damage before Schlarb came in and pitched the final two innings with no problems to record his second save of the season.
Following this close call, Ohio (19-19, 8-7 Mid-American Conference) played homerun derby against Cincinnati pitcher A.J. Upton in the seventh, hitting three out to push the lead to a more comfortable 13-6. The blitz continued in the eighth as the Bobcats added five more runs.
“I think it kind of deflated them a little bit,” Carbone said. “It’s big when you answer after you’re threatened, and you come back and score some runs.”
Matt Smith (4-1) picked up the victory for Ohio and made quick work of the Bearcats allowing no runs and four hits over three innings.
Recruiting Update
Ohio added five players to its 2009 recruiting class in the late signing period. With the four signees, the 2009 Ohio recruit class now features nine players.
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