Ohio State then-junior infielder Kobie Foppe (2) connects with a pitch in the third inning of the game against Ohio University in April 10. Ohio State won 4-0. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor
The Ohio State baseball team will aim to end its five-game skid at home this weekend.
The Buckeyes (7-9) will host Lipscomb (9-6) in a three-game series beginning their nine-game homestand on Friday.
The Bisons come into the series on a hot streak. They have won five straight games, outscoring opponents 41-14 over that span.
Ohio State, on the other hand, has not recorded a win in more than a week of play. The Buckeyes have been outscored 42-25 over their past five games.
Lipscomb has a team batting average of .297, which ranks the Bisons inside the top 50 in the nation.
The offense has been fueled by a trio of players. Redshirt sophomore designated hitter and catcher Chris Bashlor has a .434 batting average and 16 RBIs. Sophomore center fielder Maddux Houghton and senior third baseman Zeke Dodson are both batting above .360.
Lipscomb’s offense is averaging 7.07 runs a game also adding 25 stolen bases on 29 attempts.
Redshirt senior left fielder Tevin Symonette leads the team with 7 steals. Symonette is also batting .269 on the year.
The Lipscomb pitching staff is made up of two solid starters, who are a combined 4-0.
Senior starting pitcher Chris Kachmar has a 2.74 ERA and three wins in his four starts. Freshman starting pitcher Scott Elgin boasts a 3.65 ERA in four appearances for the Bisons.
The Bisons hold a 4.67 ERA, while walking an average of six batters a game.
Extra base runners will provide Ohio State’s offense an opportunity to put up larger numbers and improve upon its average of 5.31 runs a game.
Senior left fielder Brady Cherry has provided a bright spot for the inconsistent Buckeyes. Cherry is hitting .344 to go along with a team-high 13 RBIs and four home runs.
The pitching staff will also look to regain its rhythm, after allowing five or more runs in each of their past six contests.
Ohio State will begin its series against Lipscomb at 5:05 p.m. Friday at Bill Davis Stadium. This will be followed up with a 3:05 p.m. Saturday game and a 1:05 p.m. Sunday finale.
