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Be sure to check out the video above for highlights from Ohio's 14-3 drubbing of Milwaukee, brought to you by WOUB sports director Bryan Kurp.

Ohio Baseball: Bobcats Bring the Power in 14-3 Win over Milwaukee

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Baseball (3-3) was flexing its offense against the Milwaukee Panthers (0-4) en route to a 14-3 victory.

The Bobcats wasted no time as they jumped out 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning when Spencer Harbert hit the Bobcats’ first home run of the season.

The bats became quiet for two innings before Mason Minzey decided to jump in on the homerun action and get a two-run shot of his own putting the team up 4-0.

Harry Witwer-Dukes chipped in with a single that scored Isaiah Peterson. Right after, Harbert extended the lead even more with his second homerun of the day, this time a three-run homer.

In the very next inning once again Harbert smashed the ball opposite field, this time for a grand slam, but he wasn’t done yet.

Spencer Harbert celebrates his home run with his team as the Ohio Bobcats baseball team competes against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Bob Wren Stadium on Friday, March 5, 2021, in Athens, OH. Ohio defeated Milwaukee 14-3. (Chris J. Day/WOUB)
Spencer Harbert celebrates with his team as he crosses home plate after his home run on Friday, March 5, 2021 against Milwaukee at Bob Wren Stadium.  Ohio defeated Milwaukee 14-3. (Photo: Chris J. Day/WOUB)

In his last at bat, he hit a deep ball to right field that allowed another runner to cross the plate, capping off with ten RBIs on the day. Through all of Harbert’s hits, they all went to right field.

“I was seeing the ball pretty well,” Harbert said when asked about his success throughout the game.  “I’d say the biggest factor is just sticking with the approach that we have gone over since the fall.”

Hitting wasn’t the only the factor in the win. Pitcher Joe Rock was able to record 12 strikeouts out of the 22 batters he faced. He only allowed five hits, most of which came on the ground. So far this season through three games, Rock has recorded 30 strikeouts.

“Joe was Joe again tonight,” interim head coach Craig Moore said.  “Twelve punchouts in six innings, we’ll definitely take that every Friday night from Joe.  Another outstanding, dominant performance by him again tonight.”

Ohio Baseball's Joe Rock delivers a pitch in the Bobcats' game against Milwaukee on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Photo: Chris J. Day/WOUB)
Ohio Baseball’s Joe Rock delivers a pitch in the Bobcats’ game against Milwaukee on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Photo: Chris J. Day/WOUB)

The battle between the teams isn’t over just yet as they face off once again on Saturday for a doubleheader in what will be their second and third games of the four-game series.  First pitch for the first game is set for 1 p.m. from Bob Wren Stadium.