Ohio State Loses to No. 24 FGCU Saturday

Saturday, March 11

Fort Myers, Fla.

Ohio State

5-8

Florida Gulf Coast

14-2

Ohio State

Florida Gulf Coast

Ohio State Loses to No. 24 FGCU Saturday

3/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 11, 2017

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Ohio State baseball team dropped a 13-1 decision to No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast Saturday in the second game of a three-game series at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. Game three of the series is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Ohio State falls to 5-8 overall, while the Eagles improve to 14-2 overall, extending their win streak to 10-consecutive games.

OHIO STATE SCORES FIRST
The Buckeyes scored a run in the top of the second when Bo Coolen crossed the dish after a fielding error up the middle by Julio Gonzalez. Coolen reached on a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

EAGLES ANSWER
Down by one, FGCU tallied three runs in the bottom of the second to jump on top, 3-1. After a lead-off walk, the Eagles strung four straight base-hits together against right-hander Ryan Feltner. The OSU pitcher limited the damage when he struck out lead-off hitter Matt Reardon to leave runners on the corners. However, the Eagles chalked up three more runs in the following at-bat to make it a 6-1 game. FGCU ripped two straight singles off the first pitch vs. Feltner before a hit by pitch loaded the bases. The big blow was when Reardon knocked a three-run double on a 1-1 count off the wall in left to give the Eagles a five-run lead. FGCU added an insurance run in the seventh when Reardon drove a runner around on a triple down the RF line. The home squad plated five more runs in the eighth. Reardon had a career day at the plate for the Blue and Green, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, triple and eight RBI. FGCU starter Kutter Crawford limited the Buckeye bats to one unearned run on three hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of work.

FIRST CAREER HITS
Freshmen Conner Pohl and Noah West each recorded their first collegiate hits in the top of the ninth in pinch-hitting situations.

ON THE MOUND
Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner dropped to 0-3 on the year. He allowed six runs on nine hits with a season-high seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work. Left-handed reliever Connor Curlis began the sixth inning. He gave up one run on one hit with four strikeouts and three walks in two innings. Right-handed pitcher Reece Calvert pitched the eighth inning. He gave up five runs on three hits with two walks, facing four batters. Right-handed reliever Gavin Lyon recorded the final three outs on the mound, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

UP NEXT
Ohio State and No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast conclude the three-game series at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Right-hander Adam Niemeyer (1-2, 5.14 ERA) squares off vs. left-hander Josh Dye (3-0, 1.86 ERA).

GAME NOTES

The Buckeyes drop to 0-2 all-time vs. FGCU.
Ohio State is 1-3 vs. nationally-ranked opponents in 2017.
Ohio State left seven runners on base, while FGCU stranded 10 runners.
Gantt have reached base safely in all 13 games.
Other reach base streaks extended: Coolen (7), McGowan (6), Cowles (5) and Ratcliff (4).
Feltner struck out a season-high seven hitters today.
Curlis tied his career high with four strikeouts.
Hit streaks extended: McGowan (3).
Multi-hit games: McGowan (3).
Lyon made his second appearance in his OSU career.