March 29, 2011

Final Stats

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Ohio third baseman Dan Ward ripped two home runs and the Bobcats' pitching staff kept host Pittsburgh at bay to secure a 9-4 win Tuesday at Charles L Cost Field.

The Bobcats improved to 13-11 overall, while the Panthers dropped to 13-9.

Ward's blasts drove in four runs and shortstop Garrett Black also drove in two. Left fielder Jensen Painter doubled twice and scored three times, while center fielder Ethan Newton also posted two hits.

Pittsburgh center fielder Zach Duggan and right fielder/pitcher Casey Roche ahad two hits with two runs as well and left fielder John Schultz knocked two in.

The Bobcats used six pitchers during the contest, while the Panthers used five. Ohio reliever Brett Barber (3-0) was credited with the win after he allowed a run on two hits with a walk in two innings. Bobcat hurlers Matt Robin, Ben Trimbur, Shane Henkel and Marck Paliotto combined to throw six innings on the mound without giving up an earned run.

Panther starter Kevin Dooley (0-1) took the loss after giving up one earned run with a hit, three strikeouts and a walk in four innings.

Pittsburgh drew first blood with a run in the third, but Ohio came back with two in the fourth on a two-run homer to left center by Ward and another run by catcher J.R. Reynolds in the fifth.

The Panthers cut the margin in half with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but Ohio blew the game open with two in the seventh, one in the eighth and two in the ninth. Black plated those first two with a single to right center and Reynolds followed in the eighth-inning with a single to center. Designated hitter Seth Streich and Ward then blasted homers in the ninth to complete the offensive outburst before Pittsburgh got two in its last at bat to account for the final margin.

Newton stole his team-high 11th base in the first inning.

The Bobcats will be back in action Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET at home against Cleveland State.