Eric Boggs
The Ohio State baseball team endured a challenging weekend in Bloomington, suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of Indiana. The Buckeyes (5-12, 0-3 Big Ten) were unable to contain the Hoosiers (11-9, 4-2 Big Ten), dropping the series finale 14-3 in seven innings on Sunday after falling in both games of Friday’s doubleheader.
The Buckeyes opened the series with a tough 12-2 loss in eight innings. Ohio State initially took the lead in the second inning when Mason Eckelman led off with a single, followed by a two-run home run from Nick Giamarusti. However, Indiana responded quickly, scoring one in the bottom of the frame before a two-run double and a two-run home run in the third put the Hoosiers ahead 5-2. Indiana’s power continued to surge, as they launched three more two-run home runs and an RBI triple to secure a commanding victory via run rule.
In game two, Ohio State again jumped out to an early lead, with Tyler Pettorini blasting a two-run home run in the first inning. The Buckeyes extended their advantage to 7-2 by the seventh, highlighted by a solo shot from Matthew Graveline that soared 461 feet over the center field wall. However, Indiana mounted a late comeback, tying the game at 7-7 in the eighth with a two-run homer, an RBI triple, and an RBI groundout. After a scoreless ninth, the Hoosiers walked it off in the 10th on an RBI single to claim an 8-7 victory.
Ohio State looked to salvage the series but was overwhelmed in the finale, falling 14-3 in a seven-inning contest. Defensive miscues proved costly in the opening frame, as back-to-back errors allowed Indiana to take a 3-0 lead. The Hoosiers added four more in the second inning, capitalizing on an RBI fielder’s choice and two run-scoring singles.
The Buckeyes responded in the fourth when Pettorini led off with a single and Graveline followed with a towering 440-foot two-run home run to left-center, cutting the deficit to 7-2. Ohio State inched closer in the fifth after a hard-hit single from Graveline scored Lee Ellis, bringing the score to 7-3. However, Indiana delivered a knockout blow in the bottom of the inning, plating seven runs, including two home runs, to put the game out of reach.
Alonzo Paul Jr. provided a bright spot for the Buckeyes in the sixth, notching his first career hit with a double to the right-field corner. Despite a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch in the seventh, Ohio State was unable to mount a rally, and the Hoosiers completed the sweep.
Pettorini led the offensive charge in game two of the doubleheader, collecting three hits and three RBIs, while Graveline delivered two home runs over the weekend. Eckelman, Lipsey, and Giamarusti also made key contributions at the plate. On the mound, Ryan Butler turned in a strong start in game two, striking out five over five innings, while Chase Herrell and Jake Michalak took the losses in their respective outings.
The Buckeyes will look to rebound when they return home to face Miami (OH) on Tuesday, March 18, at 6:00 p.m. before heading to Iowa for a three-game Big Ten series from March 21-23.
