Ohio State then-freshman pitcher Bayden Root (6) throws a pitch during the game against Michigan on April 12. Ohio State won 10-5. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Photo Editor
Following a three-game sweep this past weekend, Ohio State baseball got back in the win column Friday, but dropped its next two against Lipscomb.
The Buckeyes (3-6) won 11-6 Friday, but lost to the Bisons (8-2) 5-4 Saturday and 4-2 Sunday.
Game 1
Greg Beals became the fourth Ohio State baseball head coach to reach 300 wins Friday after an 11-6 victory that saw 16 hits from the Buckeyes.
Freshman center fielder Nate Karaffa led the attack, batting 2-of-6 with five RBI. His first career home run batted in three runs and broke the game open during a five-run sixth inning.
Six other Buckeyes collected at least one RBI in the game, including freshman designated hitter Mitchell Okuley, who collected three hits in his first ever collegiate appearance.
The winning pitcher was Ohio State sophomore Garrett Burhenn, who allowed four runs in 6.1 innings of work. Burhenn’s nine strikeouts marked a career high.
Sophomore Scott Elgin, the starting pitcher for Lipscomb, started strong with three shutout innings, but was pulled after a two-run fourth.
The Buckeyes had the Lipscomb bullpen’s number, as they scored five runs off of left-handed freshman Logan Van Treeck and another three off freshman Bryce Einstein.
Ten of the 11 runs scored for Ohio State came in innings four, five and six, building a lead that Lipscomb couldn’t overcome.
Game 2
The second game of the series brought more fireworks, as Lipscomb defeated Ohio State 5-4 on a walkoff single by freshman third baseman Knox Preston.
The Buckeyes took a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning, but a two-run rally off of Ohio State sophomore closer Bayden Root in the ninth lifted Lipscomb to victory.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Seth Lonsway continued his streak of double-digit strikeout games, fanning 13 batters Saturday, but earned a no decision on the day despite allowing no runs.
After a hot start in the first game, the Buckeye offense cooled off, scoring one run on four hits against Lipscomb starter junior Max Habegger in 5.2 innings.
Junior infielder Colton Bauer collected two hits and two RBI to lead the Ohio State offense.
Down 2-0, Lipscomb clawed back into the game with a three-run sixth inning aided by a few Buckeye mistakes, including an error by Ohio State sophomore pitcher T.J. Brock, who allowed three unearned runs in 1.2 innings of work.
Game 3
The final game of the series was decided in the final innings, as Lipscomb collected two runs in the seventh and one in the eight to defeat the Buckeyes 4-2.
A pair of bunts from sophomore catcher Chaz Bertolani and senior infielder Brian Moore along with a sacrifice fly from second basemen Haddon Adams gave Lipscomb the lead in the seventh.
The Ohio State offense was stagnant other than a two-run home run from sophomore infielder Nick Erwin in the fifth inning.
Lipscomb junior pitcher Dylan Bierman got the start and went six innings, allowing just the two runs from the Erwin longball.
The Lipscomb bullpen held the Buckeyes scoreless in the final three innings to close the series.
Ohio State starter Griffan Smith was productive in six innings of work, allowing just one run and striking out five batters.
The Buckeyes will return to action March 6 in Deland, Florida, against Stetson to begin the team’s spring break trip.
