Sports

Ohio Drops Match with W. Michigan

Posted on: Monday, April 6, 2015

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The Ohio Bobcats fielded seven pitchers and fell to the Western Michigan Broncos 7-4 on a cold afternoon at Bob Wren Stadium.

Pitching struggles were made worse by defensive miscues that plagued the Bobcats early, as they gave up six runs on just two hits. Only two of the seven Broncos’ runs were earned.

Things got off to a shaky start for the Bobcats when a bases loaded balk by true freshman Logan McWilliams started the scoring for the Broncos in the top of the first. McWilliams was pulled after recording just one out.

Corey Wells took the over the mound and just a few at bats later, Jared Kujawa sent a two-run bomb over the right-field wall to put the Broncos up 4-0 after one.

The following inning saw back-to-back-to-back errors by the Bobcats that allowed the Broncos to put up two more and extend the lead to 6-0.

Through five innings, the Bobcats put six different pitchers on the mound. Jake Miller became the seventh and put together four solid innings, allowing only one run and holding the Broncos hitless in two of them.

Quality starts have been hard to come by for the Bobcats recently.

“At this point, we have to really reevaluate where we’re at with our pitching,” Ohio head coach Rob Smith said. “There’s a lot of guys who’re capable … the roles I was hoping to see some guys in are a little bit upside-down now with our inability to get starting pitching.”

John Adryan got the scoring going for the ‘Cats in the fifth with a two-run bomb over the right field wall for his first homerun of the season. Mitch Longo started the bottom of the sixth with his seventh straight hit, followed by a Jake Madsen double that brought the score to 6-3.

The Broncos tacked on one more run in the seventh.

The ‘Cats ninth-inning rally fell short after gathering one. Pinch hitter Logan Cozart grounded out and left two on base to end the game.

Ohio (14-11, 2-4) will take a break from Mid-American Conference play with a matchup against Ohio State in Columbus on Tuesday.