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By Mike Ashcraft
OhioBobcats.com

Box Score (PDF)

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Ohio baseball team (21-32, 9-18 MAC) saw its 2018 season come to end an end with a 4-2 setback to host Central Michigan (26-28-1, 16-11 MAC) in the regular season finale on Saturday (May 19) at Theunissen Stadium.

The Chippewas swept the weekend series from the Bobcats. Central Michigan earned a 3-2 walk-off victory in the series opener on Thursday (May 17), then posted a 5-3 win in game two on Friday (May 18).

Ohio took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Redshirt senior designated hitter Michael Klein (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) drew a one-out walk, setting the stage for senior third baseman Tony Giannini (Carmel, Ind.) to belt a two-run home run down the left field line. The bomb marked Giannini's fourth home run of the season and sixth of his Ohio career.

Unfortunately, the Bobcats managed just two hits and a walk the rest of the way.

Central Michigan cut Ohio's lead in half in the sixth when sophomore first baseman Zach Heeke drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an RBI fielder's choice that put junior center fielder Jacob Crum on base.

The Chippewas then took control of the contest with three runs in the eighth, with a two-run home run to right by junior right fielder Daniel Robinson putting Central Michigan in front. Robinson finished the contest with three hits.

Senior right-hander Colton Bradley pitched a spotless ninth inning, striking out two en route to his first save of the season. Sophomore righty Zach Kohn was credited with the pitching victory for Central Michigan, improving to 1-1 on the year. He struck out three while allowing one hit over three scoreless innings of relief.

Redshirt senior right-handed reliever Jake Roehn (Sandwich, Ill.) took the loss on the mound for Ohio, falling to 1-6 on the season. He allowed three runs -- two of which were earned -- on four hits in an inning of work. Senior southpaw starting pitcher Butch Baird (Big Prairie, Ohio) threw two scoreless innings, striking out one while giving up one hit. Senior right-hander Logan Jacik (Omaha, Neb.) threw a scoreless inning, striking out one while allowing one hit and a walk. Junior righty Kenny Ogg (Indianapolis, Ind.) tossed one scoreless inning of relief. He walked one. Redshirt junior right-hander Nick Kamrada (Grand Ledge, Mich.) pitched one scoreless frame. He gave up one hit. Redshirt senior righty Cory Blessing (Mayfield, Ohio) struck out one while permitting one walk over 1.2 innings of relief.

Saturday's games marked the end of the collegiate careers of Klein, Giannini, Roehn, Baird, Jacik, Blessing, outfielder Evan Bourn (Overland Park, Kan.), catcher Nick Bredeson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), left-handed pitcher Gerry Salsibury (Brunswick, Ohio) and right-handed pitcher Josh Petersen (Deshler, Ohio).

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