Ohio brings shattered lineup to Wright State

by Eric Pfahler
Staff Writer

Four games ended with two more injuries for the Ohio baseball team during the weekend.

The Bobcats lost the services of pitcher Corey Lyles and second baseman Jason Shockey. Lyles hurt his arm before the weekend games began, while Shockey injured his leg in the first game of the weekend against Miami.

Injuries have plagued the Bobcats (19-23) all season long. Ohio outfielder Dan Lunsford and pitcher Matt Cochrell now are injured. Designated hitter Rob Shrawder is playing through a nearly recovered hamstring injury, and Ohio catcher Scott Brownlee and shortstop Omari Briscoe also have missed time this season with various injuries.

Injuries will force the Bobcats to make the trip to Wright State (15-29) tonight without a full squad. Ohio coach Joe Carbone said the injuries have helped several young players emerge as full-time producers.

“I think our young guys have improved,” Carbone said. “Hopefully as we go, we just keep getting better and better.”

Though catcher Ben Crabtree, outfielders Brian White and Brandon Wheeler and pitcher Dan O’Rourke have led the Bobcats this season, the team has lacked a fourth starter to compliment pitchers Marc Cornell, Chris Bova and Walt Novosel.

In five Mid-American Conference games, the fourth starters have combined to allow 22 earned runs in only nine innings.

Carbone said he needs a pitcher to give the Bobcats a solid outing and change the trend for the team to make a run at the MAC Tournament.

“No one has stepped up and emerged to take over the No. 4 starting job,” Carbone said.

Carbone said he plans to use pitcher Adam Russell this weekend against Marshall. Russell will pitch one or two innings against Wright State tonight.

Russell said receiving the starting game ball helps him forget about the bad outings.

“It’s a pretty big confidence booster,” he said. “It’s good to see that (Carbone) still has faith in me as a pitcher.”

Russell said he must locate his change-up in order to do well.

“I’ve been pretty accurate with my fastball, but my change-up is a pitch that I definitely need to work on,” he said.

The Bobcats play at 6:30 tonight at Wright State.