Sports

The Panthers were leading 5-1 when the game was called, the score is official and will not be completed.

 

With the loss, the Bobcats (23-21, 12-6 MAC) have dropped three of their last four. Tyler Backstrom (0-4) picked up the loss for Ohio.

 

Pitt (22-21, 6-12 Big East) got on the board quickly in the first inning as an Anthony Defabio triple scored a run before Ohio could record an out. Panther first baseman Rick Devereaux then added an RBI to make it 2-0.

 

Ohio responded in the fourth; center fielder Ethan Newton singled to center to score right fielder Jensen Painter, making the score 2-1 in favor of Pitt. 

 

But, despite loading the bases later in the inning, Ohio could not score any more runs. Ohio stranded eight runners on base in the shortened game.

 

Pitt countered Ohio’s run with three more of their own in the top of the fifth. Defabio capped off his three RBI day with a two run homer to right.

 

Pittsburgh catcher Elvin Soto added another RBI with a single as dark clouds began to collect over Athens.

 

Multiple lightning strikes could be seen beyond the left field wall as Ohio took the field in the top of the sixth. With five innings played, the game was already official. 

 

This, coupled with a Wednesday road trip to Youngstown for Pitt, was enough to call the game before the severe weather reached Athens. 

 

The Bobcats will begin a weekend series with MAC-leaders Kent State on Friday at 6 at Bob Wren Stadium.