Sports

 

The first game was started on Friday night, but was postponed after six innings due to rain and was picked up before the game on Saturday as a doubleheader.

 

Ohio could not get a hit after the postponement and lost the first game 4-1. Jensen Painter failed to reach base safely in the game for the first time all season. 

 

Painter’s failure to reach base ended his on-base streak of 44 straight games this season and 52 straight games dating back to last season.

 

The second game would be no better for the Bobcats offensively. 

 

Ohio lost the second game to Kent State 8-1, which puts the team five games back in the MAC with seven games to play, including the final game of the series today vs. Kent State.

 

Garrett Black had an RBI single in the third inning, scoring Scott White, but that would be the only run of the game for the Bobcats.

 

Kent State’s starting pitcher, Ryan Bores, dominated Ohio batters all game long allowing only five hits and no walks in six innings of work.  

 

Ohio left seven base runners stranded, including five of them in scoring position.

 

Ohio starting pitcher Jason Moulton did his part to keep Ohio in the game by going seven innings and allowing only two runs. But, in the eighth, he was pulled after allowing the first two men to reach base on hits.

 

He was replaced by Marck Paliotto, who struggled mightily from the mound. 

 

In his 1.2 innings pitched he allowed three hits, Paliotto walked two and gave up four runs in addition to the two base runners Moulton left on base.

 

Ohio committed three errors in each game, which cost them since Kent State only committed one error total in both games.

 

Ohio manager Joe Carbone said Kent State’s defense was the difference in the game. 

 

“A lot of credit goes to Kent State’s defense,” said Carbone. “I thought they made some great plays defensively. Some balls that we hit hard with men on base turned into outs or double plays.”

 

“First thing we have to do (Sunday) is win,” said Scott White. “It will put us back about four games, but we still have Akron and Miami coming up so that’s six games. Anything can happen.”

 

With the losses, Ohio has now moved into third place in the MAC, one game behind Toledo after Toledo’s win on Saturday.