Sports
After Allowing 63 Runs In Five Games, Ohio Looks To Slow Central Michigan
By: Eric Singer
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The Bobcats finished the bulk of non-conference play with a disappointing 4-13 record, and currently sit on a five-game losing streak. However, when Mid-American Conference play begins on Friday, the current records go out the door, and all that matters from this point forward for the ‘Cats is their conference record.
Ohio will begin the 2014 conference season with a three-game series with the Central Michigan Chippewas, a team that is riding a bit of a hot streak coming into the series.
The Chippewas (10-10) have won four of their last five games, riding their strong pitching staff and their improving offense during the streak.
The pitching staff is headlined by junior starting pitcher Jordan Foley, named to the second team All-MAC in 2013, who carries a 2-2 record with a 2.97 ERA in five starts. However, the strongest starter for the Chippewas so far in 2014 has been senior Pat Kaminska, who has produced a 3-1 record with a team-best 1.85 ERA in five starts, while striking out 23 batters and walking just six.
To go with the pitching, the Chippewas’ offense has begun to heat up as well, scoring a combined 33 runs in their last five games, led by outfielder Logan Regnier and infielder Cody Leichman.
Regnier, a sophomore, leads the Chippewas with a .354 batting average, and 19 runs scored, and is second on the team with 10 stolen bases. Leichman is CMU’s best power hitter, as he leads the team with two home runs and is second with 18 RBIs.
The Bobcats, on the other hand, will be looking to right their sinking ship, and get the pitching staff back on track after allowing 63 runs during Ohio’s current five-game losing streak, a feat that coach Rob Smith described as “embarrassing.”
The series begins Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. at the Wren. The teams reconvene on Saturday night for game two at 3 p.m., and then finish up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Projected Pitching Matchup
Friday: RHP Jordan Foley (2-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Roehn (1-2, 3.90 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Pat Kaminska (3-1, 1.85 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Rudnicki (2-0, 3.79 ERA)
Sunday: LHP Nick Deeg (1-1, 4.71 ERA) vs. RHP Connor Sitz (0-4, 4.50 ERA)