The Ohio University Bobcats (23-26, 8-15 MAC) overcame a slew of missed opportunities to claw out a 1-0 victory over the University of Akron Zips (14-34, 6-17 MAC) behind an enduring pitching performance from sophomore Seth Streich on Sunday afternoon at Bob Wren Stadium.
Streich (2-6, 4.81 ERA) left everything on the mound and threw a complete game shutout on 121 pitches to pick up his second victory of the season. After throwing 155 pitches in his previous start on May 6 at Buffalo, Streich said there was still no doubt that he’d be coming out for the ninth inning.
“It was the eighth inning and Coach C. came up to me and he said, ‘Do you want it?’ And I just looked at him and I just said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’ and that was about it,” Streich said.
Streich only surrendered four hits and walked two while striking out seven Zips.
Akron starter Myles McVeigh (0-9, 4.52 ERA) allowed six hits through six innings of work, giving up only one run on a solo homer by Ohio third baseman Bryan Barnes in the sixth inning.
McVeigh was fortunate, however, to only give up one run as the Ohio base runners and the first base umpire didn’t do the Bobcats any favors.
In the second inning with shortstop Garrett Black at the plate, right fielder Adam Gecewich was caught stealing second base. The throw by Akron catcher Dan Burant was high and it appeared that Gecewich had slid under the tag, but the umpire did not agree.
After Ohio manager Joe Carbone argued to no avail, Black roped a double into the left-center gap that would have scored Gecewich easily.
Then, in the fourth inning, Barnes lined a shot down the right field line that would have assuredly gone for extra bases had it not hit the first base umpire. Akron first baseman Kurt Gamby was able to pick up the ball and beat Barnes to the base to record an out.
In the fifth inning, the Bobcats threatened again and had runners at the corners with nobody out. Catcher Trace Voshell then struck out swinging and second baseman Wes O’Neill grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The sixth inning came with more controversy from the first base umpire as Ohio center fielder Ethan Newton was picked off first base by Burant, the Akron catcher. Newton appeared to have slid around the tag, but was called out much to Carbone’s dismay.
Barnes hit his sole home run later in the inning with two outs to put the Bobcats ahead 1-0. With Streich’s strong performance, that was all the run insurance Ohio would need.
“I thought [Streich] was outstanding today,” Carbone said. “For him to gut it out and pitch like he pitched today, and give us a chance to win, and give us a complete game, and do the things he does.
“He’s an outstanding athlete. He hits, he fields very well, and he pitches very well. He did a great job for us today.”
The Bobcats failed to extend their lead in the seventh inning when Gecewich was thrown out trying to score on a passed ball with one out and runners on the corners. Voshell, who was batting, tried to give Gecewich the stop sign, but Gecewich ran anyway.
“It’s one of those do or die deals you know what I mean?” Carbone said. “I didn’t see the ball well and he didn’t either, but when it first got away from the catcher we didn’t see it because they were blocking ball. I didn’t have a problem with him going. He felt he could make it.”
Still, Ohio was able to persevere through its squandered opportunities and hang on for the win. Today’s victory also keeps the Bobcats alive for the MAC Tournament with one series left against Miami next week.
“My former coach, Coach [Bob] Wren used to say, ‘If you’re playing for something on the last weekend of the season, you did something right the whole season,’” Carbone said. “We have a chance to play for the tournament on the last weekend of the season and we’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting.”
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