Bobcats 'complete' two wins against Zips

by Bill Bender
Staff Writer

Lombardi - the name evokes images of Super Bowl greatness. Lombardy - the name might stir nightmarish images for the Akron Zips.

Pitcher Chuck Lombardy helped the Ohio baseball team take two of three contests from the Akron Zips in two different fashions. The Bobcats took two of three from the Zips during the weekend, losing the third game 11-7.

Ohio coach Joe Carbone said Lombardy gave the team a stellar all-around weekend.

"He was excellent," Carbone said. "He hit the ball well in the first game then gave us an excellent pitching game. It was a double dose of great performances."

In game one, Ohio (17-15 overall, 4-7 Mid-American Conference) exploded for 10 runs in the final three innings to come away with a 16-7 win. Lombardy helped spur the Bobcats at the plate, going 5-for-5 with three runs and two RBI.

Akron (6-21, 2-9) led 7-3 after scoring seven in the fifth. Ohio bounced back with three runs in the sixth, with two scoring on an error by Akron outfielder Steve Bowers.

The Bobcats added five more in both the seventh and ninth innings. Outfielder Mike Arbinger and infielder Tony Gandee each chipped in two RBI singles, while pitcher Denny McGee finished the Zips.

McGee (6-2) threw a complete game, striking out nine and surrendering two earned runs.

Ohio third baseman Adam Fox said the team stayed confident behind McGee.

"I think Denny helped key the comeback," Fox said. "Even though he gave up those runs, he stayed focused. He was a real team leader. It's kind of neat how the comeback unfolded."

Lombardy followed McGee on the mound for the Bobcats in the second game. He pitched a one-run gem, shutting down the Zips by giving up only five hits. The complete game was Lombardy's first at Ohio.

Ohio provided all the necessary runs for Lombardy's pitching performance in the first inning. With two men aboard, Akron first baseman Jim Gemler committed a throwing error, allowing one run to score. Ohio first baseman Rob Schrawder followed with a RBI single, which eventually proved to be the game winner.

Lombardy (2-1) struck out seven, and the Bobcats prevailed without hitting a home run for the second straight game. He said the second game was pitcher friendly.

"I had a meeting with the coaches and they decided to pitch me only when I'm fresh," Lombardy said. "It's hard for a position player to do both, but I was able to concentrate on the mound."

In the second game of the twinbill, Akron snapped Ohio's eight-game winning streak. Ohio led 3-1 until the fifth inning. The Zips shelled Walt Novosel (1-5) scoring nine runs on eight hits. Second baseman Brady Steineck powered the outburst with two RBI and a run scored.

Ohio attempted to make a recovery, scoring three in the sixth to slice the lead to 10-6. Outfielder Andrew See knocked in second baseman Ryan Kyes with an RBI double in the eighth, and Ohio loaded the bases with the tying run at the plate.

Akron pitcher Dan Swallie struck out the next batter, however, and the Zips added another run in the ninth. Swallie closed out the Bobcats in the ninth to earn the save.

For the Bobcats, Fox led the team with a 4-for-5 effort. Kyes and See added three hits apiece.

Despite the loss, Carbone said the team's showing on the road should carry into the rest of the MAC season.

"I thought we swung the bats well all weekend," Carbone said. "Other than that one inning we played well. We're disappointed we lost the game, but we're not dead in the water."

The Bobcats' and Zips' final game was cancelled because of rain yesterday and will not be rescheduled. Ohio resumes its season Wednesday against Cincinnati. The time is to be announced.