Schiml pitches way into history books

by Rob Peirce
THE POST

Most major league pitchers aren't counted on to throw a nine-inning complete game these days. But one April afternoon in Muncie, Ind., Ohio's Tony Schiml made it seem as if he has been doing it for years.

Schiml won a pitcher's duel against Ball State's Brian Bullington when Ohio took a 1-0 victory.

En route to the victory, Schiml allowed three hits and one walk while striking out 11. Bullington went 8 **1/3**, giving up the run and four hits. He struck out nine.

Schiml said Bullington was keeping pace with him for most of the game.

"He was throwing every bit as good as I was," Schiml said. "He was making big pitches. For a freshman, he threw a heck of a game.

"In games like that, you keep running off of adrenaline. You really can't describe the feeling."

Ohio's offense finally broke loose in the ninth when left fielder Mike Arbinger led off with a double. Second baseman Ryan Kyes lined a single to right to score Arbinger and set Schiml up for the bottom of the ninth.

The Cardinals threatened in their last stand when second baseman Jeremy Ridley reached second base on an error by right fielder Cory Keylor to start the inning. But Schiml collected himself and retired the next three batters for the victory.

"His location was outstanding," Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone said. "He threw harder in that game than he did the whole year. I think he was a little pumped."

But Schiml wasn't alone; his teammates also backed him, he said.

"The bench was into every pitch and cheering me on," Schiml said.

Ridley, who made it to third on a sacrifice bunt, was the only man to reach scoring position, Carbone said. Despite having the tying run 90 feet away in the last inning, there was no way Schiml was coming out.

"That didn't cross my mind whatsoever," Carbone said. "It was his game to win or lose. He single-handedly pitched himself out of trouble (in the ninth)."

Both Carbone and Schiml said it was the pitcher's best outing of the year.

Schiml was pitted against opposing team's top starter every weekend, Carbone said. He went a perfect 6-0 in MAC competition and went 9-2 overall with a 4.12 ERA.

The left-hander will soon have a chance to throw nine-inning complete games for a living after signing with the Boston Red Sox last week.