FOLLOW OHIO BASEBALL: Facebook | Twitter

BOX SCORE (PDF)

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio baseball team (9-7, 2-3 MAC) defeated Central Michigan (8-7, 0-1 MAC), 5-1, on Friday (March 26) night at Bob Wren Stadium.

Redshirt junior INF Spencer Harbert (Middletown, Del.) was 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI and run scored. Graduate student Harry Witwer-Dukes (Monmouth, Ore.) also hit a home run and was 2-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run scored.  

Ohio outhit the visiting Chippewas 9-2. On the mound, junior LHP Joe Rock (Aliquippa, Pa.) earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the season. Rock struck out six batters over six innings of work, allowing one run on two hits. Senior RHP Edward Kutt IV (Westlake, Calif.) notched his third save of the season, pitching three perfect innings and striking out six. 

The Chippewas jumped on the board first, tallying a run in the top of the first. Ohio tied the game at one thanks to a solo home run to center field from Harbert.

The Bobcats took the lead in the second inning. Ohio had runners on second and third before redshirt-junior left fielder Trevor Lukkes (Tustin, Calif.) grounded out to second to drive in the go-ahead run. An RBI-single by redshirt senior shortstop Joe Weisenseel (Strongsville, Ohio) one batter later gave the Bobcats a 3-1 lead.

Witwer-Dukes extended the lead in the third inning with a solo home run to left field.

The Bobcats added to their lead in the seventh inning. Redshirt junior second baseman Michael Richardson (Cambridge, Md.) got things started with a leadoff double down the left-field line and advanced to third later in the frame on a wild pitch. With Witwer-Dukes on first, senior right fielder Sebastian Fabik (Lebanon, Ohio) laid down a bunt to score Richardson and advanced to second on a throwing error.

Ohio returns to action on Saturday for a doubleheader against Central Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET from Bob Wren Stadium.

#OUohyeah