Sports
Ohio Starts Hot, Holds On Against Liberty
< < Back toThe Ohio Bobcats got off to a hot start, scoring 5 runs in the first two innings, and were able to make the most of them, as they held on to win 5-4 over Liberty Sunday morning.
Ohio had multiple chances to add to their lead but stranded eight runners on base. Liberty also saw missed opportunities. The Flames stranded nine runners on base, including two runners in both the seventh and eighth innings.
The ‘Cats’ first four batters carried the load offensively, combining for 9 of the team’s 11 hits. However, two RBIs came from the seven hole when catcher Nick Bredeson singled to knock in Jake Madsen and Chandler Geller.
Madsen and Mitch Longo combined for 2 RBI’s, one of which came when Longo belted a ball over the right field wall.
The Bobcats’ success early in the lineup is nothing new as the front four batters are hitting an explosive .371 so far this season.
Ohio’s biggest blunder came when Tyler Finkler botched a throw to first, allowing Dylan Allen to score and bringing the Flames within one run. But, that was the last time anyone would cross the plate for either team.
The Bobcats’ quick start forced Liberty to pull their starting pitched after just three innings of work. Adam Parks gave up six hits and five runs before he was replaced by Shawn Clowers. Clowers locked out the Bobcats giving up four hits and no runs in four and two-thirds innings.
Jake Rudnicki threw five strong innings to pick up his first win of the season. Rudnicki pitched a gem the first time through the Flames lineup. Liberty began to figure out Rudnicki knocking in three runs on four hits in Rudnicki’s final two innings.
The ‘Cats will look to string together another win when they play their second game of the day against UNC-Wilmington. The win bumps the Bobcats up to 2-3 this year.