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Courtesy OhioBobcatTV

Ohio Sweeps Akron, Madsen Makes History


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Before first pitch of Ohio baseball’s 5-3 win over the Akron Zips on Sunday, Bobcat first baseman Jake Madsen was a hit a away from becoming the Bobcats all-time hits leader, and he was as nervous as he could be before he became Ohio’s hits king with 270.

After grounding into an inning-ending double play in the first, the slugger got his second chance in the fourth, and all the pressure was lifted off his shoulders with a leadoff single up the middle.

“I’m going to be honest, those first two at bats were probably the most nervous I have ever been, I’m just glad I got it out of the way, and can just stick to winning and worry about the MAC now,” Madsen said.

After passing Ben Crabree for the record, Madsen gave Ohio a 3-2 lead in the following inning with a sacrifice fly.

The Bobcats tacked on two more runs with an RBI-single from Cody Gaertner and an error from Akron’s second baseman.

The four-run inning was set up with the bases loaded and one out. Mitch Longo tied the game with a four-pitch walk. The Bobcats’ center fielder shook his head after ball three and slowly walked to first after ball four, visibly upset that he wasn’t given a pitch to hit.

After allowing two runs in the opening frame, Ohio starter Jake Rudnicki was solid through five innings. He allowed three hits and struck out three Zips batters on the way to his third win of the season.

Logan Cozart relieved Rudnicki in the sixth inning and earned his eighth save of the year after four innings of work. The senior righty pitched effectively after allowing a run in his first inning on the mound.

The Zips threatened in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out. After an error brought in an Akron run, Cozart struck out the final two batters to work out of the jam. The Bobcat hurler pitched perfect seventh and eighth innings, and recorded six strikeouts.

Ohio extended its record to 26-15 and 11-7 in the Mid-American Conference, and continued to position itself near the top of the MAC.

The Bobcats are off until Friday, when they will start a three-game home series with the Toledo Rockets. First pitch from Bob Wren Stadium is set for 6 p.m.