Sports
Ohio Baseball Falls At Miami, 12-7
By: Eric Singer
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After a hot start, the Ohio Bobcats couldn’t put away the Miami RedHawks, dropping the first game of the season’s final series by a score of 12-7.
Marck Paliotto got the start for Ohio (13-38, 8-17 MAC), pitching 4.1 innings, while giving up six runs — three earned — on seven hits, and wound up with a no decision. Brett Barber, usually the team’s most reliable relief pitcher, was credited with the loss, after giving up three runs in only two-thirds of an inning pithed.
Miami took control in the bottom of the sixth, when it sent eight men to the plate in the inning.
After Paliotto gave up two hits to begin the inning, he was replaced by Barber, who immediately loaded the bases after hitting the first batter he faced.
And just like that, the RedHawks cleared the bases after Chad Sedio smashed a double into left center, effectively tying the game at seven.
One batter later, Miami took the lead for good; Nate Bowles hit an RBI-groundout to third base, which put the RedHawks on top 8-7.
Ohio’s major scoring output came in the third, when it saw nine men come to the plate in the inning.
After the first two batters reached base for Ohio, Brad Przebieda attempted a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error by the catcher would advance the runners an extra base, and scored Tyler Wells to tie the game at one.
The very next batter in Nick Squires lined a single into right field, scoring Kyle Dean and giving Ohio a 2-1 lead. Then, two batters later, Jake Madsen, who has been the Bobcats’ most consistent hitter all season long, lined a single into right and increasing the ‘Cats’ lead to 3-1.
With runners on first and third with two outs, Cody Gaertner came to the plate for Ohio looking to add-on, which he would after hitting an infield single to short, which scored Squires to make the lead 4-1. Then two pitches later, Madsen stole home as on a double steal with Gaertner, increasing Ohio’s lead to 5-1.
Miami (24-27, 13-12) got on the board right off the bat in the first inning, when Alex Johnson ripped a double down the left field line, scoring Matt Honchel to give the Redhawks the early 1-0 lead.
Ohio would add two more runs in the fifth, on an RBI groundout from Gaertner, and on another RBI single from Madsen, adding to his team-high total of 35 RBIs on the season.
The Bobcats were led offensively by Madsen, Squires and Gaertner, who combined for six hits, five RBI’s and three runs scored.
Miami sent it’s number one starter to the mound for game one of the series in Brooks Fiala (6-5), but he struggled a bit against the Bobcats, giving up seven runs and seven hits over seven innings, and still picked up the win for the Redhawks.
Ohio is back in action Friday night, as they take on Miami for game two of the series at McKie Field in Oxford. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.