Ohio, Miami split important series

by Eric Pfahler

The Ohio baseball team beat Miami in a doubleheader scrunched between two losses to the RedHawks.

The Bobcats (19-23 overall, 7-12 Mid-American Conference) continued having problems getting consistent pitching in the series.

Ohio pitcher Marc Cornell (5-4) struggled with runners on base in the first contest, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits and four walks in six innings.

Trailing 8-2, the Bobcats mounted a comeback led by a three-run home run in the ninth inning by catcher Scott Brownlee. Ohio could not make up the difference, however, and lost the game 8-6.

Inconsistency turned into a positive for Ohio Saturday in the second game of the series.

After a few bad outings to begin the season, Ohio pitcher Walt Novosel tossed six innings of one-hit ball. Ohio shortstop Omari Briscoe knocked in the game’s first run with a single in the second.

Ohio outfielder Brian White increased the lead to four in the seventh with a three-run home run.

The home run proved helpful in the seventh inning. Ohio pitcher Dan O’Rourke relieved Novosel after the starter walked the first two Miami hitters. O’Rourke then gave up a three-run homer to Miami outfielder Ryan Edginton.

O’Rourke wedged a ground out between two strikeouts to earn the save.

Miami (24-22, 11-9) began the scoring in the doubleheader’s second half. The RedHawks scored three runs in the first three innings to build an early lead against Ohio pitcher Chris Bova (3-2).

The Bobcats answered in the fifth on White’s second home run of the series to cut the lead to 3-1.

After two Miami runs in the fifth, Ohio put up two of its three sixth inning runs. Brownlee hit his second home run of the series off Miami pitcher Russ Bayer.

Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, the Bobcats pushed four runs across home plate to take a substantial lead. Brownlee became the hero again, hitting a three-run homer to ensure the victory.

Bova earned the complete game win in the ninth, despite allowing one run on two hits.

The Bobcats failed to win the series’ finale. Ohio pitchers Shaun Peet and Aaron Smigelski allowed eight runs in the first three innings, and Miami would not relinquish the lead. Miami pitcher Billy Kieninger (4-4) threw a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits.

The Bobcats remain on the road this week against Wright State. Ohio plays the Raiders 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wright State.

                                                                                                                                                                                    —Eric Pfahler