Ohio State Takes Down No. 24 FGCU, 5-4

Sunday, March 12

Fort Myers, Fla.

Ohio State

6-8

Florida Gulf Coast

14-3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ohio State	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	5	9	1
Florida Gulf Coast	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	4	7	2

Ohio State Takes Down No. 24 FGCU, 5-4

3/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 12, 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Ohio State baseball team rebounded with a 5-4 victory at No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast in the final game of a three-game set Sunday afternoon at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. Ohio State starting pitcher Adam Niemeyer quieted the FGCU bats, throwing five innings on one run and three hits, while outfielder Tre’ Gantt had a career-high four-hit day. First baseman Bo Coolen also hit a two-run home run in the road win. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall, while the Eagles drop to 14-3 overall. The ranked victory for the Scarlet and Gray snapped a 10-game win streak by the Blue and Green.

“More than anything I like the resolve of the ball club,” head coach Greg Beals said. “We had two tough nights and it’s a time in the season when you can start having doubt, and we really regrouped and came out with great attitude. That three runs early in the game was critical. We set the tempo and answered the bell right away. We were also able to execute situations, including two safety squeezes. When you look back at the game, those RBI bunt singles by Tre’ were huge for us.”

BUCKEYES PLATE THREE IN THE FIRST
Ohio State scored three runs on three hits in the opening frame vs. left-handed starter Josh Dye, who fell to 3-1 on the year. Tre’ Gantt ignited the offense with a single to left and scored on a RBI triple by Jalen Washington. Bo Coolen then launched his first career home run as a Buckeye on a 3-1 pitch over the right field wall to make it a 3-0 contest.

OHIO STATE ADDS A RUN IN THE FIFTH
After a solo home run by FGCU right fielder Corey Fehribach in the bottom of the third, Ohio State was rewarded for a miscue by the Eagle defense in the top of the fifth. Jacob Barnwell sprinted around the bags and slid in safely at third base after a throwing error by third baseman Richie Garcia. Gantt then placed a bunt down the first base line to push Barnwell home, who beat the throw at the dish on a feet-first slide.

BIG RUN IN THE SEVENTH
The Buckeyes moved their lead to four runs in the seventh and it turned out to be huge. A lead-off double by Shea Murray started it off and the OSU outfielder was moved to third base on a sac bunt by Barnwell. A second bunt single by Gantt drove in Murray for the 5-1 score.

BUCKEYES HOLD OFF LATE FGCU CHARGE
Despite being down four runs, the Eagles continued to battle at the plate, hoping to find another late-inning rally. The home team scored three runs on four hits, however, the Buckeyes were able to hold on with right-handed reliever Yianni Pavlopoulos on the mound. After three straight doubles made it 5-3, a sacrifice fly trimmed the Buckeye lead to one run. With the tying run on first base, the OSU right-hander got a ground out to Coolen at first base before a ground out to Noah McGowan at second base sealed the victory for the boys.

ON THE BUMP
Niemeyer limited the FGCU bats to one run on three hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts in five innings of work to improve to 2-2 on the season. Right-handed reliever Kyle Michalik relieved Niemeyer to begin the sixth inning and registered two scoreless innings. Right-handed reliever Seth Kinker replaced Michalik in the bottom of the eighth. He induced a big double play ground ball to record the first two outs before getting a FGCU hitter to roll over with a ground out to second base. Pavlopoulos finished game, allowing three runs on three hits in the ninth inning.

“Nemo [Niemeyer] can compete,” Beals said. “What Adam needs to do is command his fastball and he did that today. He was at the bottom of the zone. When he can do that, it allows his other pitches to play in and he’s going to be tough. We need that out of him. One of our captains gave a captain-type performance today.”

SERIES LEADERS
Gantt led the team with a .364 average (4-for-11) with a run scored, two RBI, two walks and a stolen base. Coolen and Barnwell each hit .300 on the weekend too.

UP NEXT
Ohio State continues its spring break trip with two midweek contests at the 2017 Snowbird Classic in the Port Charlotte, Fla. The Buckeyes face Lehigh Tuesday and Bucknell Wednesday at North Charlotte Regional Park. Both games start at 2:30 p.m. ET.

? Buckeyes snap No. 24 FGCU’s 10-game win streak.

Hear what @bealsy9 had to say about the big road win.#GoBucks https://t.co/xYj16UFUKG

— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioState_BASE) March 12, 2017

GAME NOTES

The Buckeyes are now 1-2 all-time vs. Florida Gulf Coast.
Ohio State is now 2-3 vs. nationally-ranked opponents in 2017.
Gantt has reached base safely in all 14 games. He had a career-high four-hit performance vs. the Eagles.
Other reach base streaks extended: Coolen (8) and Ratcliff (5).
Hit streaks extended: Ratcliff (3).
Multi-hit games: Gantt (4).
Multi-RBI game: Coolen (2) and Gantt (2).
Michalik extends his earned run scoreless streak to 21.1 innings (since 2016).
Coolen hit his first home run as a Buckeye, while Washington knocked his first career triple.