March 9, 2008
Box Score
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Ohio baseball team led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday afternoon, when UNC Greensboro's Ricky Orton hit a two-run home run to give the Spartans their first lead of the game, one they would not relinquish in a 3-2 victory in the rubber game at UNCG Baseball Stadium.
Freshman right-hander Jason Moulton (Toledo, Ohio) nearly went the distance on the mound for Ohio (4-6), going 7.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and striking out four. The Bobcats were unable to produce enough run-support for Moulton, however, scoring just two runs in the top of the fourth inning.
"Jason Moulton pitched a real good game for us today," said Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone. "Even though we lost, I think we played our best game of the season today, (UNC Greensboro) is a really good ballclub."
Moulton gave up a single to begin the eighth inning, before getting an out at first base on a sacrifice bunt by the next batter and then forcing the following batter to fly out to first base, giving Ohio two outs with a runner on second base. Ohio junior left-hander Zach Fairbanks (Martins Ferry, Ohio) then was called in from the bullpen. The first batter Fairbanks faced was Orton, who proceeded to hit his first home run of the season over the right field wall to give UNCG a 3-2 advantage.
"Orton just put a good swing on the ball and knocked it out," said Carbone. "You definitely have to give UNC Greensboro credit, but I think we played well today."
Fairbanks (0-1) takes the loss, after going 0.1 innings, allowing the one hit and one earned run.
UNC Greensboro's (8-3) LHP Alex Shelton (1-1) earns the victory after throwing 2.0 innings in relief, allowing just one hit and no earned runs.
The Bobcats had their chances in the top of the ninth inning, but UNCG's Greg Smith closed out the final inning for the Spartans to earn the save. Ohio freshman Zach Keen (Beavercreek, Ohio) led off the inning with a single, before being advanced to second on sacrifice bunt by senior Zach Hartle (Toledo, Ohio). The next two Ohio batters were unable to get a hit, however, giving UNCG the series win.
Senior Matt Stiffler (Bellbrook, Ohio) recorded his sixth multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-5 at the plate and junior Chris Klimko (McKeesport, Ohio) finished 2-for-4 on the day.
Ohio out-hit UNCG 10 to seven, but was unable to produce as many runs, leaving nine runners on base in the game.
Ohio scored its two runs in the fourth inning off the bats of sophomore Jerod Yakubik (Byesville, Ohio) and freshman Guantlett Eldemire (Shaker Heights, Ohio). Yakubik scored sophomore Marc Krauss (Deshler, Ohio) from third base and Eldemire hit an RBI-single through the right side, scoring freshman Robert Maddox III (Euclid, Ohio).
The Bobcats are scheduled to play West Virginia State on Tuesday, March 11, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
