Bobcats Win First Home Series of 2018 Season
By: Mary Puzder
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The Ohio University Bobcats took to Bob Wren Stadium for a three-game series against the Northern Illinois Huskies this weekend. Saturday was the first time the Bobcats played a home game all season. After splitting a double header, the teams faced off again Sunday.
An Early Lead
The Bobcats took an early lead in the first inning, keeping the Huskies away from home plate and scoring two runs.
Head Coach Rob Smith said the key to starting the game well was for starting pitcher Butch Baird to throw strikes, forcing the Huskies to create their own runs.
“Butch did that, he challenged hitters,” he said. “He forced the action and he did a tremendous job of getting us into that game.”
In the fourth inning, the Bobcats scored six runs thanks to a three run homer from freshman second baseman Aaron Levy and redshirt senior designated hitter Michael Klein. When Klein finished crossed home, the team had scored a season high of 12 runs. Klein is currently tied for the team lead in RBIs – five in conference games this year. The Bobcats had a total of 17 hits this game, another season high.
“I mean that’s what we did from the very beginning,” Smith said. “We were aggressive, we came out swinging, the guys did a tremendous job. So, again offensively our hitters really set the tone for the game right away.”
The Huskies eventually got in the swing of things, scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Victory
Ohio beat Northern Illinois 12-4, winning their first home series of the 2018 season.
“I think we had to get a win today,” Smith said. “This series was critical. We’re sitting at 3-3, and that’s fine. I mean we’re .500, .500 will get you into the conference tournament I’m pretty certain of that. We’ve just got to keep collecting wins.”
Smith’s goal for the team includes 13 conference wins, and a trip to Avon for the 2018 MAC Championship.
The Bobcats play again Tuesday April 4, against Shawnee State.