Ohio State Stumbles 6-2 to Wake Forest in Season Opener – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2006
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Wake Forest first baseman Allan Dykstra hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning as the Demon Deacons cruised to a 6-2 victory over Ohio State Friday in the Buckeyes’ season opener at the Pepsi Baseball Classic at the University of Florida’s McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Eric Fryer (So., Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) had given the Buckeyes an early 1-0 lead on a home run over the right-field fence in the top of the first inning off Wake Forest starter Garrett Bullock. It could have been a two-run shot, but Jacob Howell (Jr., Ashland, Ohio/Ashland) was picked off at first base one batter earlier.
The OSU lead did not last long though as Dykstra took a 3-2 breaking ball up in the zone from Buckeye starter starter Dan DeLucia (Jr., Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) and deposited it over the right-field fence to give the Demon Deacons a 3-1 lead. DeLucia hit his first batter of the game, Eric Williams, before a sacrifice moved him to second. DeLucia walked Matt Antonelli to put runners at first and second for Dykstra. Williams delivered Wake’s fourth run with a sac fly to right in the second inning, scoring Weldon Woodall, who reached on a throwing error by Ronnie Bourquin (Jr., Canton, Ohio/Canton South), the Buckeye third baseman.
Ohio State (0-1) managed to get one run back in the fourth inning to pull within, capitalizing on a one-out single up the middle by Bourquin. He moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a balk before scoring on a double up the middle by Jedidiah Stephen (Sr., Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah).
The Buckeyes had a chance for more runs in the eighth inning, but left the bases loaded. J.B. Shuck (Fr., Galion, Ohio/Galion) delivered a pinch hit up the middle. Matt Angle (So., Whitehall, Ohio/Whitehall-Yearling) followed with a single to right, but Shuck was thrown out trying to reach third base. Howell singled to right to prompt a second pitching change. Now facing Ben Hunter, Fryer drew a walk to load the bases but was hit by a hit ball by Bourquin and was out on the play, ending the inning.
The Demon Deacons (4-3) made the Buckeyes pay for their missed opportunity, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the inning to build a 6-2 lead. Facing reliever Jake Hale (Fr., Albany, Ohio/Alexander), Andy Goff reached on the second throwing error of the game by Bourquin and then went to second on a bunt down the third base line by Casey Sterk. Catcher Dan Rosaia delivered both runners with a double down the right-field line. OSU closer Rory Meister (So., Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield Madison) came on to get Weldon Woodall to pop out to third.
The starting pitching got the decisions for each team. Bullock got his first win of the year (1-0), while DeLucia started the season with a loss (0-1). DeLucia allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and struck out four batters. Bullock struck out seven batters and allowed the two OSU runs on three hits. Hunter earned his second save of the season, pitching the final 1 1/3 innings.
The Buckeyes out-hit Wake Forest 6-5, but committed three errors in the first game of the season. Six different players accounted for the hits. Dykstra finished just 1-for-4, but his three-run homer was all the Deacs needed.
Ohio State will meet No. 1 Florida Saturday at 2 p.m. in a game televised by Sun Sports (available on some cable networks and satellite) before closing play at the Pepsi Baseball Classic vs. No. 12 Missouri Sunday at 10 a.m.
