Just when the Ohio State baseball team thought it was hitting a hot streak in its schedule, the Buckeyes took two steps backwards last weekend when they dropped the final two games of a four-game series with visiting Indiana.
But OSU doesn’t have much time to worry about its hiccups as it returns to the field tonight when in-state NAIA opponent Shawnee State comes to Davis Stadium for a 6:35 start.
“This is another in-state school that wanted to get Ohio State on its schedule,” said OSU coach Bob Todd. “So we’re trying to accommodate them a little.”
However, tonight’s game is not all about helping out a fellow state school.
“This game gives us a chance to pitch some people that need more work,” Todd said. “That’s the biggest thing about this game.”
The Buckeyes have relied on their pitching a lot this season, as their offense has yet to fully warm up. But over the past two weeks, OSU’s hitters have begun to heat up, scoring over 10 runs against both Wooster and Indiana.
“Slowly but surely, we are starting to swing the bats,” Todd said. “We’re starting to settle in and that’s helped our offense.”
Over the last 10 games, the Buckeyes have been hitting .361 as a team. Outfielder Christian Snavely has seen the greatest improvement, hitting .531 over the period with four home runs and 15 RBIs.
“It was emotionally disappointing coming off the last two losses,” Snavely said. “We just have to get back on our feet.”
The Buckeyes’ offense will have a chance to get back on track against Shawnee State, which comes into the contest with a team ERA of 4.71.
Snavely hasn’t been the only Buckeye hitter heating up as of late. Outfielder Steve Caravati has driven in 10 runs over his last nine games, while hitting .417.
The Buckeyes have struggled most in defense. On the year, OSU has committed 57 errors, with 18 coming in their last 10 games.
“We’ve got to shore up our defense,” Todd said. “We cannot continue to give opponents four or five outs in an inning.”
Todd knows that tonight’s game could set up the Buckeyes for a successful weekend when they travel to Purdue for a four-game series.
Lewis recognized nationally
The national honors keep rolling in for Buckeye pitcher Scott Lewis. For the second straight week, the lefty was named Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week.
In a win against Indiana, Lewis struck out 16 hitters in his 7-2/3 innings of work. He did give up three runs, but all were unearned.
Last week, Lewis set an OSU record when he fanned 20 Iowa hitters. He has given up only five hits in his last two starts.
“The awards really don’t matter, as long as we keep winning,” Lewis said. “But it’s an honor to be recognized like that.”
On the season, Lewis has a 6-0 record with a 1.39 ERA. He has struck out 94 in 58 1-3 innings of work and opponents are batting only .154 against the sophomore.
“Scott’s not your typical power pitcher,” Todd said. “He just does a really good job of spotting his pitches and getting a strikeout when he needs. He can even do it when he doesn’t have his best stuff.”
