March 5, 2008
Box Score
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Ohio baseball team lost its third-straight game Wednesday evening, falling 8-7 in 10 innings to Ohio Wesleyan, after leading 6-0 heading into the eighth inning at V.A. Memorial Stadium.
Ohio (3-4) got a solid performance out of starter Zach Fairbanks (Martins Ferry, Ohio), but the bullpen couldn't protect the lead in the late innings. The junior left-hander went 6.0 innings on the mound, giving up just three hits and no runs, while striking out four, leaving the bullpen a six-run lead to work with. Ohio Wesleyan (1-0) stormed back though, scoring seven runs in the final two innings and then one more in the top of the 10th inning to come from behind to win the game.
"I thought Zach Fairbanks threw the ball very well tonight, and then obviously our relief pitching failed us miserably in the last three innings," said Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone. "We've got to give Ohio Wesleyan credit, they made some big plays in the ninth inning to keep the game tied, and then coming back to beat us, we have to give them credit."
Ohio senior center fielder Matt Stiffler (Bellbrook, Ohio) went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored and freshman designated hitter Robert Maddox III (Euclid, Ohio) finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple, two RBI and a run scored.
The Bobcats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the third inning and then added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to seemingly take control of the game. Ohio Wesleyan responded however, brining four runs across the plate in the eighth inning to get back in the game. The Battling Bishops kept the momentum going in the top of the ninth inning, scoring three more runs to take their first lead of the game at 7-6.
Trailing by a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, Ohio's first four hitters reached base, tying the game at 7-7 and loading the bases with no outs. Stiffler led off the inning with a bunt down the third baseline, followed by another perfectly placed bunt by freshman Gauntlett Eldemire (Shaker Heights, Ohio). Sophomore Marc Krauss (Deshler, Ohio) then lined a single down the right field line, scoring Stiffler and advancing Eldemire to third base. Junior Hayden Johnston (Strattanville, Pa) was then intentionally walked, loading the bases. The next three Ohio hitters failed to get the ball out of the infield however, and three-straight force outs at the plate pushed the game into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, the first two Ohio Wesleyan players singled off of junior left-hander Adam Godpasture (Columbus, Ohio), before Carbone brought in senior right-hander Cody Neyman (Dravosburg, Pa.). Ohio Wesleyan's Steve Ruygrok then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third. Neyman then had a pitch get away from him, allowing the winning run to score from third base.
In the bottom of the tenth, Ohio Wesleyan's Joey McDaniel (1-0) retired the first three Bobcat batters to earn the victory.
Goodpasture takes the loss for Ohio, after going 2/3 of an inning, allowing one earned run on three hits, while striking out one. Goodpasture is now 1-1 on the season.
Krauss finished the game 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Bobcats had two errors in the game, leading to two unearned runs for the Battling Bishops.
Ohio got out to its quick start in the third inning with two outs. With two away, Johnston hit an RBI-single to center field, followed by a triple by Maddox III, scoring two more runs for Ohio.
Ohio's damage in the sixth inning came off of a three-RBI double to left center by Stiffler, scoring Zach Hartle (Toledo, Ohio), Jerod Yakubik (Byesville, Ohio) and Maddox III.
Next up for the Bobcats is a three-game series on the road against UNC Greensboro (March 7-9). First pitch for that series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 7.
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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.
