How could something that started out so well for the Buckeyes end up so badly? The Buckeyes scored five runs in the top of the first inning only to see Northern Iowa keep it a one-run game through two innings, 6-5. Each team added a run in the third before the Panthers moved in front with two in the sixth. Cory Rupert drove in the tying run in the seventh, but then the bottom fell out with UNI scoring four times in the bottom of the eighth to hand Ohio State a 12-8 setback Monday (box score) at Manatee Community College.
Bob Todd reworked the lineup and it appeared to be working through the visiting half of the firsts inning. Tony Kennedy, J.B. Shuck, Ryan Meade, Cory Rupert and Chris Macke all had hits in the opening frame and things were going well offensively. The first six spots in the batting order accounted for 11 of the Buckeyes' 15 hits. The offense, which has 50 hits in the three games thus far on the spring trip, is not the problem.
The problem Monday was on the mound. Dean Wolosiansky got the start and had been solid in his previous outings, but tonight he allowed six runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings. Eric Best pitched 2.0 innings and Alex Wimmers pitched one. The three combined to walk eight, including three each by Wolo and Best. Buckeye pitchers struck out 13, but allowed 16 hits.
Kennedy was 2-for-5 leading off and Cory Kovanda followed with a 3-for-5 night. Shuck (the DH) was 2-for-5 and scored twice and Justin Miller was 2-for-5 batting cleanup. Rupert and Macke each collected two hits. Meade drove in three, Rupert two and Macke one.
The Buckeyes didn't have an error Monday for just the second time in 12 games this season, yet still have 27 errors this season. Hopefully playing everyday will settle the defense. UNI improved to 7-8 this season.
Some observations from tonight... I enjoyed this lineup and hope the coaching staff will give it another try despite the loss. Macke,who does nothing but hit when given the chance, needs more playing time. It was his second game and first start of the season. He played left. Kennedy was in center and Arp was in right. I think Shuck is the best centerfielder on the team, but you can't argue resting his arm with seven games in seven days. Kennedy is on a tear at the plate so you needed his bat in there as well.
Click here for the UNI release.
Tomorrow the Buckeyes (7-5) play Bradley at 3 p.m. at IMG Academy Park.
6 comments:
Why the two late pinch hitting changes?
I'm going to assume there was a reason BT put Arp in RF over Dew for the day, and Macke in LF over Hurley with Shuck DHing.
Yet when Arp is 1-3, BB, 2 runs, he brings in Dew? Result.. pop out.
Macke is 2-3 with an RBI double, he pulls him. Result Hurley flies out.
I'm puzzled. Its not why we lost the game, bullpen, Best still giving free passes, but those two changes make 0 sense.
Todd....just for the record I'm pretty sure the Bucks pitchers struck out at least 3-4 UNI batters.
rocky....agree with you in wondering about the pinch hitting but Hurley did put the ball almost to the wall so I can't really fault that decision.
should get back on track tomorrow...
Coach Todd almost always goes with the LHP vs RH Hitters and vice versa. It must be tough to come in to PH in the 9th inning of a three hour game. However, I agree with guillermo about Hurley's hit. It was a shot, the CF just made a great catch.
Tough Loss..Nice start in the first couple of innings. I also like the lineup changes.
Nice to see Macke/Arp with a chance to play.These guys produce when they get the chance too.
Nice to see no errors again other than Passed balls.The bad thing is N. Lowa scored 2 runs on those PB.I still like Gus at 1st. We have been spoiled with Fryer and Kinnear behind the plate in recent years.
The bullpen has to step up. Best and Wimmers walked 5 in 3 IP.Eric needs to get it together soon. I would guess a lot of those walks scored tonight.
I don't think it is time to panic yet,but these games do get old blowing leads.
Yeah, the Buckeyes struck out 13 batters, including eight by Wolosiansky. That was an error on my part, but the strikeout column on the on-again, off-again GameWatcher was all zeros. When I wrote the recap, that is all I had to go on. I guess I shouldn't be so critical until I get the real box off OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
What is amazing, and lost in all of this, Wolo struck out 4 batters in the first. A runner reached ona passed ball, but still when is the last time a Buckeye pitcher struck out 4 in an inning? I'm sure its in the media guide.
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