Rob Hardin / Chief Photographer / rh124104@ohiou.edu

Chris Klimko attributes his improved play this season to his participation with the Columbus All-Americans in the summer.  He hit .310 over the course of the summer.

These days, Chris Klimko has a little more on his mind than whether he will throw out an opposing runner trying to steal a base.

The catcher, in the midst of a breakout season, was one of about 100 Ohio University students accused by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2007 of illegally sharing music.

“I’m trying to keep it off my mind as much as possible,” Klimko said. “I’m just trying to focus on this year and take care of that after.”

Rather than accept a deal with the RIAA, the McKeesport, Pa., native has opted to challenge his case in court, where he will defend himself with the help of his father, Paul.

“I just think it’s completely unfair,” Klimko said. “They’re going after the wrong people in my mind.” According to court documents, Klimko failed to show up for a February 21 preliminary pretrial hearing. Klimko said he was not aware of the hearing.

In attempt to make light of a difficult situation, many of his teammates have given him the nickname “Klimewire,” a poke at the file-sharing Web site Limewire.

“Everybody gets their own nicknames, and that’s what they call me,” Klimko said.

Klimko said that he hoped for everything to be resolved after the season, one in which he has shined, posting a .346 average — good for fourth on the team.

The junior, who hit .263 last season, cited his performance in the summer, where he hit .310 on the Columbus All-Americans of the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League as a confidence booster.

“Coming off a pretty good summer, I feel like I’m swinging really well,” Klimko said. “I had a bad weekend, but now I’m seeing the ball better again.”

Klimko has come up clutch for the Bobcats multiple times this season, knocking in the game-winner March 30 against Western Michigan, as well as hitting a sacrifice fly April 2 against Cleveland State to give Ohio another victory.

“I just go out there seeing the pitch every time,” he said. “If it happens to be with a runner on third and we’re tied in the ninth inning, I’m going to go up there trying to put my best swing on the ball.”

Coach Joe Carbone credited him with becoming a dependable hitter in the Bobcats’ loaded lineup this season.

“He’s been getting better every year,” Carbone said. “He’s done a better job hitting this year. We think he’s done a solid job for us this year.”

Klimko has also thrown out 13-of-21 base stealers, a solid 61.8 percentage. The catcher’s ability to throw out runners is another area he has improved upon, after he threw out just 16-of-82 last season.

“He has shut the running games down on the teams we have played,” Carbone said. “I think Cincinnati, who had attempted over 100 bases, didn’t even attempt a stolen base against us.”