The Ohio State baseball team emerged victorious in both games at the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic, improving their season record to an impressive 6-4. The Buckeyes delivered an electrifying performance on Friday night against the 7-1 Cal Bears, securing a 9-4 win in a game marked by a scintillating offensive display and stellar pitching.

In the opening matchup against Cal, Ohio State wasted no time making an impact. The Buckeyes got off to a scorching start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Their offensive prowess continued in the third inning when they added five more runs, seizing control of the game. Ohio State didn’t rest on their laurels, tacking on an insurance run in the sixth inning to solidify their lead and ultimately secure the 9-4 victory.

Pitching played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes’ success, with starter Landon Beidelschies earning his second victory of the season. Beidelschies went six innings, striking out an impressive eight batters. Matthew Graveline was a standout at the plate, going 2-5 with a pair of crucial RBIs. Leadoff batter Trey Lipsey also made significant contributions, plating three runs to help secure the decisive victory.

Saturday’s scheduled game against Pitt may have been rained out, but the Buckeyes returned to the diamond on Sunday with a flair for the dramatic. Facing the Sooners, the Buckeyes found themselves trailing 3-2 after three innings and struggled to put runs on the board until the final frame. The ninth inning proved to be a turning point for Ohio State, as they executed a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

In the top of the ninth, with runners on second and third and two outs, Tyler Pettorini delivered a clutch hit that the Sooner third baseman couldn’t handle, allowing the tying run to score. The Buckeyes weren’t done yet, loading the bases and witnessing Mitchell Okuley draw a walk, bringing in the go-ahead run. Closer Justin Eckhardt took the mound in the bottom of the ninth, shutting the door on Oklahoma and securing the nail-biting victory for Ohio State.

“It was a little bit of a crazy game and a little bit of a crazy weekend. We pitched fantastic throughout the game with the relievers coming in. The bullpen did a fantastic job.”

Ohio State head coach Bill Mosiello

With this successful weekend in Las Vegas, the Ohio State baseball team will look ahead as they prepare for a four game series on the road against Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California beginning this Friday.