Ohio State junior catcher Jacob Barnwell (42) attempts to throw out a runner at second in the fourth 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 did not want to relive its opening loss in the NCAA tournament.
The Buckeyes took a late lead when sophomore shortstop Noah West hit an RBI single past the third baseman in the top of the 11th inning to giving No. 3 Ohio State the 3-2 lead.
However, in senior reliever Seth Kinker’s second inning of work to try and close the door in the bottom half of the 11th, he allowed the Seahawks to tie the game with four straight base-hits.
After a significant rain delay, UNC Wilmington right fielder Kep Brown singled through to the right side with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 13th to eliminate Ohio State in a 4-3 loss Saturday.
The game could have been over in the bottom of the 11th, but freshman center fielder Dillon Dingler threw the go-ahead run out at home, keeping the game tied. It was the second Seahawk base runner thrown out at the plate.
Coming in with a 4.62 ERA and a career-low .275 batting average against after 16 appearances, including 15 starts, junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner kept the Buckeyes in the game, allowing two runs in six innings of work. However, it was not easy for the junior right-hander. He allowed seven runs and three walks, stranding eight runners on base.
While Feltner limited the damage from the Seahawk offense, the Ohio State bats did not provide much help. The Buckeyes recorded two runs on three hits through seven innings, with junior catcher Jacob Barnwell hitting his second home run of the season on the fourth inning.
Redshirt senior pitcher Austin Woodby brought Ohio State into extra innings, throwing 3.1 shutout innings while giving up five hits and a walk. With a runner on first and one out, Kinker recorded the remaining two outs, getting the Buckeyes through the 10th inning.
After the loss to the Seahawks, Ohio State falls to 43-43 in its 21st appearance in the NCAA tournament in school history.
