University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Ohio State
No. 14 Ohio State Strikes Early To Down Richmond
02/21/2010 | Baseball
Feb. 21, 2010
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Billy Barber, Mike Mergenthaler and Adam McConnell each had three hits, but Richmond couldn't overcome a nine-run third inning and fell to No. 14 Ohio State, 20-9, Sunday in the final game of the UNF Classic in Jacksonville, Fla.
Sophomore C Bryan Conway came off the bench and finished two-for-four with two RBI as the Spiders pounded out a season-high 17 hits.
"It's shame we didn't give ourselves a chance out of the chute," said head coach Mark McQueen. "You've got to throw strikes and minimize mistakes, especially against a quality team like Ohio State. We dug ourselves too big a hole early."
The Buckeyes claimed the UNF Classic title, winning all three games of the weekend round-robin and giving OSU head coach Bob Todd his 1,000th career win Sunday.
After Ohio State (3-0) struck for four runs to break a scoreless tie in the second inning, Richmond (2-1) shaved the deficit in half during the bottom of the second. Both Chris Cowell and Ryan Mallory reached on errors to start the rally and both would score. A Phil Ruzbarsky sac bunt resulted in another OSU error to score Cowell, and Matt Zink followed later with an RBI single that plated Mallory.
But things unraveled for the Spiders in the third as Ohio State struck nine times in the frame, taking advantage of four walks, a hit batter, an error and a three-run home run by Brian DeLucia to seize a 13-2 lead.
Barber brought two home with a two-out single through the left side in the fourth inning, Conway added a two-RBI double in the sixth and senior 3B Cameron Brown and Mergenthaler each added RBIs in the seventh inning.
"Overall I'm happy coming away with two wins," said McQueen. "Everyone on the trip got playing time and that's all you can ask for early in the season."
Junior Matt Trent was on the hook for the loss, allowing five walks and two hits that resulted in seven earned runs over the first two innings.
Richmond pitching issued 12 walks in the game, while Ohio State committed six errors. In three games this season, Spider opponents have combined for 18 defensive miscues.
Theron Minium picked up the win, going two innings in relief of starter Dan Wolosiansky.
The Spiders return to Jacksonville next weekend for three games at the Jacksonville University Invitational. Tuesday's game at home versus VMI has been postponed due to field conditions.
