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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio baseball team (4-11, 2-2 MAC) fell to the Central Michigan Chippewas (10-7, 1-0 MAC) at Bob Wren Stadium today (March 17), 8-5. 

Individually, redshirt sophomore AJ Rausch (Powell, Ohio) went 1-for-3 with two runs scored while fifth year Will Sturek (Minnetonka, Minn.) finished the day 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. On the mound, graduate student Colin Sells (Lancaster, Ohio) threw for 2.1 innings with six strikeouts while sophomore Dillon Masters (New Albany, Ohio) and sophomore Tyler Peck (Oak Creek, Wis.) closed the game, throwing for a combined two scoreless innings. 

The Chippewas took an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Ohio answered in the bottom of the frame; Rausch scored from first when fifth year Mason Minzey (Grand Blanc, Mich.) launched a double to right center field. Central Michigan surged ahead in the third, taking a 7-1 lead with two home runs. 

After two scoreless innings, the Bobcats cut into Central Michigan's lead. First, junior Alec Patino (Sioux City, Iowa) drove in Rausch with a single up the right side, putting runners on first and third. The next at-bat, Sturek launched a three-run homer to right field, putting the score at 7-5. In the top of the seventh, the Chippewas took advantage of a wild pitch, scoring their eighth run of the game. 

Neither team scored again, putting the final score at 8-5.  

Up next, the Bobcats return to Bob Wren Stadium tomorrow afternoon (March 18) for game two against Central Michigan. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

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