Ohio State
2-3
Grand Canyon
3-2
Coupet Shines in Pitcher’s Duel, But Bucks Fall to GCU
2/24/2023 12:09:09 AM | Baseball
PHOENIX, Ariz. – In a true pitcher’s duel, lefty Isaiah Coupet was impressive on the mound, fanning nine and not giving up a run until the seventh inning. The Buckeyes (2-3) ultimately fell to Grand Canyon (3-2), 1-0.
Game Recap
- Josh McAlister got things started for the Buckeyes with a lead-off triple in the top of the first inning. He was stranded, however, as the next three Bucks went down in order.
TOP 1? | That's a lead-off triple for Josh McAlister#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/NwrqPOB9ft
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) February 24, 2023
- The Lopes had a double to lead-off the bottom of the first and, as the runner attempted to advance to third, Mitchell Okuley made a phenomenal play, tossing it to Nick Erwin at third to get the runner out.
- In his first at-bat as a Buckeye, Zach Freeman doubled down the left field line in the top of the second.
TOP 2? | Zach Freeman: First at-bat as a Buckeye ?, First hit of the season ?#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/D75LlnM7YU
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) February 24, 2023
- Two Lopes got on base in the bottom of the second, but Coupet caught two batters swinging, including the final out of the inning, to keep things scoreless.
- Henry Kaczmar had a base hit to lead-off the third frame and McAlister was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second, but neither were able to advance as the next three Bucks up were retired in order.
- The Buckeyes made quick work of GCU in the bottom of the third, turning a double play to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
END 3? | The Buckeyes turn a double play to end the inning We're still scoreless with Mitchell Okuley to lead-off in the fourth#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/vxjjft2xHQ
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) February 24, 2023
- The Buckeyes and Lopes each had a hit in the fourth, but there was nothing doing for either team as zeroes remained on the scoreboard.
- Both teams remained scoreless through the fifth and sixth; the Buckeyes did not allow any Lopes to reach base over those two innings.
- Pinch-hitter Tyler Pettorini picked up a hit in his first at bat of the game in the seventh inning and then stole second, but the Buckeyes remained scoreless.
TOP 7? | @TPettorini comes in to pinch hit and records a base knock#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/3mQdgGnVHH
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) February 24, 2023
- The Lopes had a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh. Coupet struck out the next batter, but the third batter doubled down the right field line, driving in a run to put GCU ahead, 1-0.
- One run was enough for the Lopes to win the first game of the series, 1-0, as the Bucks remained scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings.
Buckeyes by the Numbers
- Coupet (1-1) had a phenomenal night on the mound, striking out nine and giving up just one earned run on six hits in 7.0 innings tossed. He did not walk any batters. In two outings this season so far, Coupet has fanned 18; he has walked just one and has given up just one run on seven hits. He has an ERA of 0.69.
END 5? | @Icoupet34 tossing some tonight He's up to 6? Ks and we remain scoreless#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/WSV5h5xrwd
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) February 24, 2023
- McAlister, Andrews, Freeman, Kaczmar and Pettorini combined for Ohio State’s five hits on the night.
- McAlister’s triple was the first of his career.
Up Next
- The Buckeyes take on Gonzaga at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark on Friday, Feb. 24 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
#GoBucks
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tucker, C. (1-0)
L: Coupet, Isaiah (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Freeman, Zach 1
3B: McAlister, Josh 1
Base Running:
SB: Pettorini, Tyler 1
HBP: McAlister, Josh 1 ; Okuley, Mitchell 2
Batting:
2B: Bush, H. 1 ; Wilson, J. 1 ; Yorke, Z. 2
RBI: Yorke, Z. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Verdusco, C. 1
HBP: Buckley, J. 1
PO: Paton, E. 1
