Ohio State then-freshman starting pitcher Seth Lonsway delivers a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday’s game in the Scarlet and Gray World Series. Credit: Edward Sutelan | Editor in Chief
The Ohio State baseball team survived a late-game scare to take the series against Lipscomb.
The Buckeyes (9-10) held on to beat the Bisons (10-8) 7-6 on Sunday. The Bisons were able to score five runs in the final three innings, but it wasn’t enough to beat Ohio State’s 12-hit and clutch pitching performance.
The Buckeyes led 7-4 with two outs and nobody on in the ninth inning. The game seemed out of reach, but after allowing a hit and four walks, their lead was in jeopardy.
Ohio State junior pitcher Joe Gahm was called upon to step in and save the game. The lead had dwindled to one run and the bases were loaded. After recording a first-pitch ball, Gahm struck out the final batter, securing his first save of the season adn the series win.
“Coming into big a situation, getting a save, winning the game, that’s what everyone dreams of. That’s what I’ve been looking forward to the whole year so far,” Gahm said.
The scoring opened up in the bottom of the second when Ohio State junior first baseman Conner Pohl blasted a solo home run, his first of the season, over the right field wall to give Ohio State a 1-0 lead.
Ohio State freshman third baseman Zach Dezenzo hit the second home run of the inning, his third of the weekend, to extend the lead to two runs heading into the third inning.
The Bisons responded with a leadoff, stand up double down the left field line by junior shortstop Brian Moore. A single by sophomore center fielder Maddux Houghton put runners on the corners with no outs in the third.
After a wild pitch allowed Houghton to advance to second, the double play possibility was eliminated with one out in the inning. A grounder to junior shortstop Noah West could only record the second out of the inning and Moore scored from third to bring the score to 2-1.
After a walk and a two-out single, Ohio State’s one-run lead was threatened in the sixth inning. Redshirt freshman pitcher Seth Lonsway recorded the final out on a looking strikeout.
Lonsway would finish the game with five strikeouts in six innings pitched, allowing three hits and one run in his second win of the season.
“Compared to last start, I was looking to go deeper into the game. Get ahead on guys right away. Keep my pitch count low. Just be more efficient,” Lonsway said.
Ohio State freshman center fielder Nolan Clegg was able to produce a big two-out RBI single in the seventh inning, which opened the door for West to knock in another run to make the score 4-1.
Following a walk to load the bases, Lipscomb replaced freshman pitcher JT Caver with sophomore pitcher Caleb Brenczewski, who was able to strike out junior right fielder Dominic Canzone to minimize the damage heading into the seventh inning.
With one out in the seventh inning, a throwing error by redshirt junior second baseman Matt Carpenter allowed the Lipscomb baserunners to advance to second and third. Redshirt senior left fielder Tevin Symonette was able to hit a groundout to short to bring in a run and make the score 4-2.
Senior third baseman Zeke Dodson produced a two-out single up the middle to reduce the Ohio State lead to one. Freshman pitcher Will Pfenning was able to strand two runners and keep the lead for the Buckeyes.
Senior left fielder Brady Cherry singled to lead off the seventh for Ohio State, advancing to second on a fielding error in right field. Pohl continued his solid performance with his third hit and second RBI to increase the score to 5-3.
The Buckeyes would add another run in the inning off a sacrifice bunt.
After a walk put the leadoff man on in the eighth, a no-out double by junior catcher Jarrett O’Leary reduced Lipscomb’s deficit to two.
Ohio State junior pitcher Andrew Magno stepped into a no-out situation with a runner on second. He was able to get the next three batters out in only eight pitches to maintain Ohio State’s lead.
“Magno’s three outs were huge. We can’t overlook those,” Beals said.
With one out, Carpenter was walked and stole second. This set up Cherry for an RBI single to make the score 7-4 heading into the ninth inning.
Cherry was then called upon to close out the game at pitcher. After recording the first two outs, two walks and a single loaded the bases.
Cherry would go on to walk in two runs before Ohio State turned to Gahm to record the save.
Ohio State will play Northern Kentucky at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday at Bill Davis Stadium.
