Ohio State Downs UNCG to Win Sixth Straight Game

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State baseball team (28-25) defeated UNC Greensboro (21-30), 9-2, on Sunday to sweep its final non-conference series of the season and extend its win streak to six games.

Game Recap

The Spartans took the lead, 1-0, in the top of the second inning.
The Buckeyes answered in the bottom of the fourth frame. Marcus Ernst singled to lead off the inning. A single from Henry Kaczmar scored Ernst and tied the score, 1-1. Mitchell Okuley was next at the plate; he singled through the right side, advancing Kaczmar to third to put runners on the corners. Kaczmar and Okuley both scored on Spartan errors to give Ohio State its first lead of the game, 3-1.
With two outs on the board, Nick Erwin singled to center field and then stole second. Hank Thomas drew a walk to put two runners on. A single up the middle from Caden Kaiser scored Erwin and gave Ohio State a 4-1 lead over the Spartans.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, another RBI single from Kaczmar put the Buckeyes ahead by four, 5-1.
UNCG added a run in the top of the eighth, but Ohio State remained in the lead, 5-2.
Okuley walked to lead off the eighth inning for the Buckeyes and a beautifully placed bunt from Erwin put two runners on base. Joey Aden came in to pinch hit; he singled to right field to load the bases. Kaiser stepped up the plate next and drilled a single to right field, sending two runs across to put Ohio State up by five, 7-2. A sac fly from Trey Lipsey scored Aden and an RBI double from Ernst scored Kaiser, giving the Buckeyes a 9-2 advantage over the Spartans.
The Spartans were retired in order in the ninth, including a swinging strikeout from Logan Jones for the final out, to cement the 9-2 victory for Ohio State.

Buckeyes by the Numbers

Ernst led the Buckeyes with three hits, while Kaczmar, Erwin and Kaiser each added two.
Kaiser had a team-high three RBIs and Kaczmar batted in two runs.
Graveline led the Buckeyes in stolen bases with two.
Isaiah Coupet started on the mound, fanning five and giving up one run on two hits in a 3.0-inning no-decision.
Justin Eckhardt (4-3) earned the win. Eckhardt struck out three in 3.0 scoreless innings. He walked just one batter and did not give up any hits.

Up Next