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ATHENS, Ohio — With the help of 14 hits, the Ohio baseball team (9-23, 4-11 Mid-American Conference) defeated VMI 8-5 Friday night at Bob Wren Stadium. 

"We scratched and clawed to get runs. That was good to see," head coach Craig Moore said. "We had a lot of hits and executed the game. It was a good team win."

The Bobcats got on the board first in the bottom of the second on a two-RBI double by freshman Matt Ineich (South Lyon, Mich.). In the bottom of the third, the Bobcats got a three run boost on another double, this time by graduate student Blake Reed (Gahanna, Ohio). 

Reed and Ineich led Ohio with three hits each on the night. Reed took the crown for extra-base hits, as he knocked two doubles. 

"It's pretty cool because I can play a part in (energizing the team) after not having much success in the past. It's cool to see that this year," Reed said. 

During that time, starting pitcher senior Blake Gaskey (Davenport, Iowa) tossed three scoreless innings for the Bobcats. The right hander threw four total scoreless and six innings overall, the fifth time he's been on the mound for six or more innings. His four-strikeout performance earned him his third win of the season. 

VMI (21-14, 4-5 Southern Conference) reached the board in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run to right field. However, Ohio added a run on a passed ball in the bottom of the inning to shake off the comeback. 

Redshirt sophomore Cam Bryant (Miamisburg, Ohio) added one more for the Bobcats in the bottom of the fifth on a single to left. Ohio's final run of the night came the next inning, when Ineich scored on a wild pitch. 

Sophomore Jack Geiser (Medina, Ohio) earned the save for the Bobcats. He tossed two scoreless, hitless innings and struck out four batters.

"Something I did well today was going at guys with my best. I think that's why I do well most of the time, just throwing at them and asking them to hit it," Geiser said. 

Ohio will be back in action on Saturday to face VMI for game two of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be viewed on YouTube at OhioBobcatStudios. 

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