Ohio State Rallies to Win 4-2 over Hofstra Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes

Saturday, March 19

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State

10-6-1

Hofstra

5-13

Hofstra

Ohio State

Ohio State Rallies to Win 4-2 over Hofstra Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes

3/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 19, 2016

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Redshirt sophomore pitcher Adam Niemeyer tossed seven scoreless frames in a no-decision performance, while the Ohio State baseball team rallied with a three-run eighth inning to claim a 4-2 win over Hofstra in game two of a three-game set Saturday afternoon at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium. With their third straight win, the Buckeyes improve to 10-6-1 overall, while the Pride fall to 5-13.

“It wasn’t an easy day to hit with the cold weather, but give their starter credit, he mixed it up using his changeup,” head coach Greg Beals said. “He pitched backwards against us and kept our hitters at bay on top of the cold and wind blowing in. Niemeyer pitched extremely well and rolled a bunch of ground balls for us. We did a good job playing defense behind him and only gave them three free bases. We were able to get a couple hits, utilize our speed and execute when we needed to today.”

Down 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, junior left fielder Ronnie Dawson tied the game at 2-all on a RBI single, before senior first baseman Troy Kuhn knocked a two-run single up the middle for the eventual game-winning hit. Kuhn was 1-for-3 with three RBI, while Dawson was 1-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI. Senior co-captain Jalen Washington was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while junior outfielder Troy Montgomery went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and three walks.

On the hill, sophomore right-hander Seth Kinker received the win to improve to 2-1, while redshirt sophomore right-hander Yianni Pavlopoulos picked up his fourth save of the season.

SCARLET AND GRAY RUNS
After the first three innings went scoreless, Ohio State cut its deficit to one run in the fourth. Kuhn knocked a sacrifice fly in foul territory with the bases loaded to push Montgomery around. The next three stanzas went scoreless as the Buckeyes left five on base vs. Hofstra right-handed starter Chris Weiss, who limited the OSU bats to one run on three hits with three walks and there strikeouts.

In the eighth, Ohio State got to the Hostra bullpen when Dawson knocked a single up the middle to play Montgomery, who walked for the third time on the afternoon. The play was set up when Washington reached base safely on a bunt single and error by Hofstra reliever left-hander John Rooney. Kuhn then gave the Buckeyes a two-run lead with a two-run single to plate both Washington and Dawson, respectively, vs. right-hander Adam Heidenfelder.

“We never feel like we are out of game ever,” Kuhn said. “Honestly, we always feel like we are the better team and the better team will find a way to win. We believe in each other.”

STARTER TALK
Niemeyer picked up his third straight quality start, tossing a career-high seven innings and limiting the HU bats to two runs, one earned with three strikeouts and no walks. He scattered five hits on the board in his longest outing of his collegiate career in a no decision.

“It’s not too frustrating,” Niemeyer said. “I’m just glad I got off the hook and didn’t get the loss. I’m happy for Kinker. If he doesn’t come in there and throw a zero, we’re not in the place we are to win the game. Both of our relievers deserve their results. I try and go out there and put us in an opportunity to win the game.”

BULLPEN CLOSES THE DOOR
Just like Niemeyer, both Kinker and Pavlopoulos pounded the strike zone to punch the Buckeyes’ 10th win of 2016. Kinker threw a scoreless eighth with one strikeout before Pavlopoulos pitched a four-pitch, ninth inning to pick up his team-best fourth save of the year.

“I came into the season just trying to throw strikes and be a good pitcher,” Pavlopoulos said. “I talked to coach Beals last fall and he talked about possible roles. I was ready to help out the team wherever he wanted. I just want to pitch. Whenever my number is called, I’ll be ready for my teammates.”

HOW THE PRIDE SCORED
Hofstra scored two runs in the top of the third to take a 2-0 lead on the Buckeyes. After a lead-off double by, Teddy Cillis, Tom Archer plated his teammate on a fielder’s choice when he nubbed an chopper infront of the mound down the third base line. Niemeyer’s underhand throw to the plate was not in time as Cillis slid under the tag. A RBI single by

UP NEXT
Ohio State ends its three-game series vs. the Pride at 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium. Senior left-hander John Havird (0-1, 4.98 ERA) squares off vs. right-hander Bowie Matteson (1-1, 2.49 ERA).

WORTHY NOTES

Ohio State improves to 2-0 all-time vs. the Pride.
The Buckeyes are now 316-161 all-time at Bill Davis Stadium.
Freshman catcher Jacob Barnwell made his first career start today behind the dish
Sergakis has reached base in all 17 games.
Niemeyer tossed a career-high seven innings and posted his fourth third straight quality start of his redshirt sophomore campaign.
Ohio State turned a season-high three doubles plays vs. the Pride today.
Kuhn notched his fifth, sixth and seventh RBI of the year and now has 76 RBI in his career.
Pavlopoulos picked up his fourth save of the year. He’s thrown 9.2 scoreless innings in 2016.
Today marked the first time Ohio State did not record an extra-base after a stretch of 16 straight games with at least one extra-base hit.
Dawson picked up his team-best 20th RBI of 2016. He’s notched 12 RBI in the last four contests.
Montgomery extended his reached base streak to eight straight games