March 24, 2008
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Ohio baseball team had its four-game winning streak come to an end Monday afternoon, as the Bobcats fell, 7-2, to Central Michigan at Theunissen Stadium.
Central Michigan (6-13, 1-2 MAC) left-hander Steve Teno (3-2) was in control throughout, giving up just one earned run on seven hits and striking out four in the complete-game victory on the mound.
Ohio (8-9, 2-1 MAC) managed just three hits on Teno through the first seven innings and didn't bring a run across the plate until the eighth inning when Central Michigan had already built a six-run lead.
"We have to give Teno all the credit," said Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone. "He had a great change up going all day. We weren't able to make an adjustment until the eighth, and then it was too late."
After winning the first two games of the series, Ohio was looking for its first conference-series sweep since taking all three from Bowling Green (March 19-20) in the final series of the 2006 season. The Bobcats were also looking to become the first team to sweep a three-game series from the Chippewas at Theunissen Stadium since its construction in 2002.
Freshman Guantlett Eldemire (Shaker Heights, Ohio) recorded the only multi-hit game for the Bobcats, going 2-for-4 with one run scored. Ohio senior Matt Stiffler (Bellbrook, Ohio) went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and sophomore Marc Krauss (Deshler, Ohio) and junior Brandon Besl (Cincinnati, Ohio) each went 1-for-4 with a double.
The Bobcats trailed 1-0 in the fourth inning, with the only run coming on a solo home run, when a costly error by Jerod Yakubik (Byesville, Ohio) resulted in three unearned runs and proved to be the turning point in the game. With two outs in the inning, Yakubik had a grounder get past him at first base, and after the next two batters reached, a triple cleared the bases, giving Central Michigan a 4-0 lead.
"Yakubik made the error and he's usually a good fielding first baseman," explained Carbone. "You can't give a good team more than three outs. That being said, our pitchers need to be able to pick us up, because you're not always going to be perfect in the field."
Ohio finally got to Teno in the top of the eighth inning, scoring two runs, but Teno would recover to hold on for the complete game. Freshman Zach Keen (Beavercreek, Ohio) drove in Eldemire with a fielder's choice, and then two Chippewa errors allowed Stiffler to cross the dish, bringing the score to 6-2. Ohio would get no closer, however, as the Chippewas added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning.
Freshman right-hander Jason Moulton (Toledo, Ohio) went 5.2 innings in the start for Ohio, allowing six hits and six runs, three of which were earned, and striking out five. Moulton takes the loss, dropping his record to 1-2 on the season.
The Bobcats have a quick turnaround, as the team will finally play its home opener at Bob Wren Stadium on Tuesday against Rio Grande. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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Wes Liles is the baseball contact in the Ohio media relations office. He can be reached via email at liles@ohio.edu.
