Rob Hardin / Chief Photographer / rh124104@ohiou.edu

Ohio University junior Zach Elmer fires a pitch toward home plate during the Bobcats’ final game against Miami Saturday at Bob Wren Stadium.  The  team will face a pitching shortage because of the suspension of saves leader  John Angelicchi.

The weight on the shoulders of the oft-struggling Ohio bullpen just got a little heavier.

After the Bobcats’ home series finale against Miami, coach Joe Carbone said that saves leader John Angelicchi would be suspended for the rest of the season because of an unspecified violation of team rules.  

The team’s relievers, who have struggled with their consistency throughout much of the season, now face a shortage of help at the most crucial point in the season.  

“I’m not going to worry about it,” Carbone said. “We’ll go with what we have.”

Carbone added that under his tenure, his coaching staff has always focused on not overusing its pitching staff.

“One thing we do here is take care of our guys’ arms,” he said. “We’ve always done that at Ohio University, and we will continue to do that.”

The loss of the senior means that pitchers such as Adam Goodpasture, Matt Schlarb and Kevin Mementowski will see their roles increase.

“It’s a bigger burden, but I think me, Schlarb and (Mementowski) can handle the burden,” Goodpasture said. “We’re definitely going to need some other guys to step up, but it will be interesting to see how our bullpen rebounds.”

Schlarb now becomes the team saves leader with two, and the Lexington, Ohio, native said the onus also falls on the Bobcats’ starters to pick up the load.

“It’s some pressure on us, but it also puts pressure on (Chris) Rigo, (Zach) Elmer and Matt Smith to go deep into games,” he said.

Goodpasture is one reliever to improve off his 2007 season, where he had a robust 10.24 ERA, much higher than his 4.91 mark this season. The junior also has become the team’s middle relief specialist, logging 17 appearances over just 7 1/3 innings.

“Personally, I think it’s a confidence factor,” Goodpasture said. “I have to come in and face one batter, and it’s kind of frustrating at times because I feel like I have success sometimes and sometimes I do not.”


Injury Updates
Third baseman Brandon Besl, who was hit by a pitch in the face in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, said he was optimistic that he would play in the series-opener Thursday in the Mid-American Conference series finale against Buffalo.

Besl received 13 stitches on his face, and the Cincinnati native also injured his ankle when he fell down after taking the pitch near his left jaw.

“I should be good to go,” Besl said. “Now the focus is back on my ankle because right now, they said that I could play with my stitches.”

The team’s batting leader is no stranger to injuries this season, having already missed time this season because of a pulled hamstring and a left wrist contusion.

“He’s had some major injuries this year,” Carbone said. “I don’t think he will be 100 percent, but he’ll come in there and give us a good effort.”

Carbone added that starter Jason Moulton continues to progress in his rehabilitation, but no timetable has been set for his return this season.


Seeding Scenarios
For the first time since February, Ohio will not play in any mid-week games, giving the team three days to prepare for the Buffalo series.

Currently, four teams have clinched berths in the MAC Tournament, with four up for grabs.
If the tournament began today, Ohio would find itself in the final spot. They control their destiny with three games to play.

If the Bobcats win only two of their three games against the Bulls and Central Michigan — currently in the ninth spot — sweeps its final series against Eastern Michigan, the Chippewas would earn the final bid.