Consistency key to Ohio's success

by Eric Pfahler
Staff Writer

The Ohio baseball team plans to start pitcher Shaun Peet against West Virginia after he threw three perfect innings in a 12-7 loss to Akron on Friday.

“It’s a real boost of confidence for me,” Peet said. “It’s something I really needed.”

The start against West Virginia (19-16) will be the second in Peet’s career. Peet said he hopes to make a better appearance than his first start, when he allowed three runs in one inning in a 16-4 loss to Bowling Green on April 7.

“I just have to maintain some consistency,” Peet said. “I have probably been the least consistent pitcher on the staff.”

Inconsistency has been a theme for the Bobcats (13-19), especially with regards to the pitching staff. Ohio’s earned run average is 7.44, and no Ohio pitchers have an ERA below 5.00.

Ohio coach Joe Carbone said the only cure for inconsistency is to continue to pitch.

“You just got to keep going out there and improving,” Carbone said.

This weekend also showed mishaps in defense. The Bobcats posted nine errors in two losses.

Carbone said the errors do not bother him too much because the Ohio fielders get to more balls than most.

“You don’t like to see errors, but guys are going to miss them here and there,” Carbone said. “We’re fundamentally OK.”

Carbone adjusted the lineup this weekend, moving third baseman Adam Fox from cleanup to the second spot. Ohio catcher Ben Crabtree moved into the fourth spot.

“I think Crabtree was hitting the ball pretty good,” Carbone said. “(Fox) was still getting on base a lot. You try to juggle the lineup to compensate for Lunsford’s loss.”

Carbone said first baseman Rob Shrawder’s return to the lineup helped him change the batting order.

Fox said Shrawder’s bat is important to the team, especially with the injuries the Bobcats have had.

“(Shrawder) can make a huge difference,” Fox said. “Everyone feels good with him in the lineup.”

The Bobcats take on West Virginia at 3 p.m. today at Bob Wren Stadium.