Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Buckeyes baseball team rallied after dropping the series opener on Friday against West Virginia, clinching the weekend series with commanding victories on Saturday and Sunday. The Buckeyes, after a 2-5 loss in Morgantown, WV at the Kendrick Family Ballpark, showcased their offense, roaring back to seize victory in the subsequent games.
Saturday’s showdown saw the Buckeyes’ offense ignite, overpowering the Mountaineers with a 7-4 triumph. Leading the charge was Hank Thomas, whose stellar performance at the plate, batting 2-2 and driving in 3 RBIs, proved instrumental in Ohio State’s resurgence. Pitcher Gavin DeVooght (2-1) shined in relief, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings, while Justin Eckhardt secured his fourth save of the season.
However, it was Sunday’s decisive clash that truly showcased the Buckeyes’ dominance. Ohio State unleashed an offensive onslaught reminiscent of a gridiron battle, notching a jaw-dropping 26 runs against West Virginia’s 11.
Third baseman Tyler Pettorini led the charge, going 2-6 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBIs. Not to be outdone, DH Nick Giamarusti and RF Mitchell Okuley each contributed 3 runs batted in, while Isaac Cadena, Henry Kaczmar, Matthew Graveline, Joseph Mershon, and Hank Thomas amassed two RBIs apiece.
On the mound, Gavin Bruni set the tone with a solid 4.1 innings, tallying 4 strikeouts, before Chase Herrell (1-1) sealed the win with two innings of stellar relief. With this resounding victory, the Buckeyes improved to 10-8 on the season, while the Mountaineers slipped to 11-9.
Looking ahead, Ohio State prepares to defend their home field for the first time this season as they welcome Georgetown to Bill Davis Stadium. The action begins on Friday with the first pitched slated for 6 pm
