Ohio State Falls in B1G/Pac-12 Challenge Opener vs. Utah

Thursday, February 23

Surprise, Ariz.

Ohio State

2-3

Utah

3-1

Ohio State

Utah

Ohio State Falls in B1G/Pac-12 Challenge Opener vs. Utah

2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 23, 2017

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State baseball team dropped its opener of the 2017 Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenger against Utah on a chilly Thursday night at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. Utah powered 12 runs on 16 hits, while Ute freshman left-hander Jacob Rebar limited the OSU bats to no runs on four hits in his first career start. With the loss, the Buckeyes fall to 2-3 overall, while the Utes improve to 3-1 in 2017.

UTAH SCORES BIG EARLY ON
The Utes jumped out to an eight run lead through the first four frames. Utah plated the first run in the bottom of the first after a bunt play and throwing error set up back-to-back ground outs to push DaShawn Keirsey Jr. around home. A bunt was fielded in front of the dish by sophomore Jacob Barnwell, but his throw was deflected on a bang-bang play at first base and trickled down the first base line to score the error. Dallas Caroll collected the RBI in the inning.

After the Buckeyes went down in order, the Utes broke open the game vs. right-handed Adam Niemeyer with a five-run second inning. It started when Kyle Hoffman singled through the right side with runners on the corners to make it 2-0. The chance began after a fielding error and stolen base put Chandler Anderson in scoring position. Zack Moeller then reached safely on an infield single up the middle. The defending Pac-12 defending champs opened up the game to a six-run lead when Oliver Dunn cleared the bases on an opposite field double that bounced just inside fair territory in left. A two-out single by Hunter Simmons chalked the sixth run.

In the bottom of the fourth, Josh Rose knocked a two-out, two-run home run to make it 8-0. Both runs were unearned after a third Buckeye error. The hot bats continued for Utah in the fifth with three more runs on three hits and another run in the sixth.

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE NIGHT
In his first career start in right field, Shea Murray made the play of the night. The 6-7 outfielder went full extension on a line drive hit by Rose in the gap in right center for the diving play for the first out of the sixth.

ON THE MOUND
Niemeyer received the loss to fall to 1-1 on the year. He gave up eight runs, four earned, on nine hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Sophomore left-hander Connor Curlis relieved Niemeyer to begin the fifth. He tossed the final four innings and allowed four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

UP NEXT
Ohio will now prepare for its first contest vs. a nationally-ranked opponent tomorrow in the desert. The Buckeyes will take on No. 5 Oregon State at 3 p.m. ET Friday at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. There will be no live stream vs. the Beavers, but Oregon State audio will be available.

GAME NOTES

The game marked the first contest for the Buckeyes in the state of Arizona in 20 years.
The Buckeyes and Utes played at beautiful Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home to the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.
Ohio State is 2-1 all-time vs. Utah.
The Buckeyes are 13-14 all-time in games played in the state of Arizona, including a 7-2 mark in neutral site contests.
Tre’ Gantt has reached base safely in five straight games with a three-game hit streak.
Connor Curlis made his 2017 debut tonight.
Conner Pohl made his collegiate debut in the top of the seventh.
Jalen Washington registered his third multi-hit game of the year.
Casey Demko made his first appearance as a Buckeye in the ninth.