Diamond Report – April 20
Right: The tarp that covers the infield at Bill Davis Stadium was never rolled up and Tuesday’s game was canceled. (File Photo)
After sweeping the Purdue Boilermakers in a three-game series this past weekend, the Ohio State Buckeyes currently sit in first place in the Big Ten, one-half game ahead of Indiana with a record of 9-3.
Overall, the Buckeyes are 29-8, but were unable to get win No. 30, Tuesday night, after their game against Bowling Green was rained out. No make-up date has been announced as of press time.
Ohio State last played on Saturday, winning both games of a doubleheader vs. Purdue. In the matinee, the Buckeyes won 7-4, and took the nightcap, 11-10.
In the first game, OSU scored four runs in the visitor’s half of the fifth inning to take a 5-2 lead and never looked back after third baseman Cory Rupert hit a one-out single and left fielder Zach Hurley followed with double down the right field line moving Rupert to third. With runners at second and third, second baseman Cory Kovanda’s base knock scored Rupert, and center fielder Michael Stephens’ RBI single plated Hurley. After catcher Dan Burkhart reached on an error, Kovanda scored, and Stephens came around on Ryan Dew’s RBI single.
Ohio State starting pitcher Eric Best lasted 4.1 innings and surrendered three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and four walks. Drew Rucinski came on in relief of Best with one out in the fifth and earned the win by allowing just one run on three hits with a pair of K’s and three base on balls. Jake Hale recorded his ninth save of the season by pitching 1.2 innings without allowing a baserunner while fanning three.
In the second game of the twin bill, Stephens went 2-for-5 at the plate with two triples and four RBIs, while Burkhart was 2-for-4 at the dish and added four more ribeyes as the Buckeyes held on to win 11-10.
Purdue scored three times in the home half of the eighth and had the tying run at third base with two out, but Hale struck out Eric Nielsen to end the inning.
In the ninth, Hale retired the first two batters in order before issuing a base on balls and allowing a double down the right field line that once again put the tying run 90 feet away. But Hale was able to induce a ground ball with two outs to pick up his Big Ten-leading 10 save.
Up next, Ohio State will host Ball State at Bill Davis Stadium, Wednesday night. First pitch at Bill Davis Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.
