Eric Boggs
The Ohio State baseball team endured a challenging week at Bill Davis Stadium, falling in all four contests, including a three-game weekend sweep by Minnesota and a midweek loss to Kent State. Despite several promising offensive showings and individual standout performances, the Buckeyes (8-24, 2-13 Big Ten) were unable to string together complete games, leaving them still searching for consistency as Big Ten play continues.
The week began with a home matchup against Kent State on Wednesday, where the Buckeyes fell 8-3. After the Golden Flashes jumped out to an early lead with a two-run homer in the first, Ohio State showed some fight with timely hitting from Matthew Graveline and Maddix Simpson, who combined to put the Buckeyes on the board. Simpson, who had a career-high three hits in the game, added another RBI in the fourth, while Reggie Bussey scored on an error. A sac fly by Bussey in the sixth brought the Buckeyes to within five, but a late double play ended any comeback hopes. Zak Sigman took the loss, while Douglas Bauer’s 4.1 innings of relief and four strikeouts provided a bright spot.
In Friday’s series opener against Minnesota, Ohio State showed resilience in spurts, clawing back from a 6-1 deficit to make it a one-run game in the fifth inning. Will Carpenter was electric at the plate, falling just a double short of the cycle and driving in two runs. Graveline and Alonzo Paul Jr. added key hits, but defensive lapses and Minnesota’s late offensive surge pushed the final score to 10-5 in favor of the Gophers. Drew Erdmann took the loss, while Ryan Butler provided a solid 3.2-inning effort in relief.
Saturday’s game saw more offensive struggles from the Buckeyes, as Minnesota steadily pulled away to a 9-2 win. Ohio State scattered just two runs, both driven in by Lee Ellis, who continued to be a reliable bat in the lineup. Maddix Simpson chipped in with two hits and a run scored. Gavin Kuzniewski suffered the loss after allowing three runs over five innings. Despite several opportunities, the Buckeyes stranded too many runners in scoring position and failed to mount a meaningful rally.
Sunday’s finale started with promise for the Scarlet and Gray. Trey Lipsey opened the bottom of the first with a single, and Lee Ellis followed with a towering 396-foot two-run home run. Mason Eckelman doubled and came around to score on a Nick Giamarusti single to give the Buckeyes a 3-0 advantage. They extended their lead to 4-2 in the fifth after a bases-loaded walk. However, Minnesota responded with a pair of RBI doubles to tie the game in the sixth, then took the lead for good on a solo shot in the eighth and an insurance run in the ninth. The Buckeyes were retired in order in their final frame, falling 6-4. Starter Jake Michalak delivered a solid 4.2-inning performance with four strikeouts, while Luke Carrell took the loss in relief.
Across the weekend, Eckelman led the Buckeyes at the plate with multiple hits and consistent production, while Ellis tallied a team-high four RBIs. The young Ohio State roster showed flashes of potential but struggled to execute in key moments, particularly with runners on base and in late-inning situations.
Ohio State will look to bounce back Tuesday, April 15, when they host Wright State at 6:00 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium. With Big Ten play heating up, the Buckeyes will need to regroup quickly to turn momentum in their favor.
