Shawnee State did its best impersonation of the comically terrible “Bad News Bears” last night against the Ohio State baseball team inside a windy and cool Davis Stadium.
The Bears’ (19-12, 12-2 American Mid-East) two wild pitchers walked seven, gave up all nine runs and received no run support as Shawnee State finished with two hits and the Buckeyes (23-12, 10-6 Big Ten) wrapped up a 12-game homestand on a positive note, cruising to a 9-0 win.
The midweek non-conference battle with its interstate rival gave OSU the opportunity to work multiple pitchers and position players, who normally don’t see much time off the bench.
The Buckeyes went through four pitchers, each able to get ahead in the count early and often. Left-hander Chris Hanners (3-1) led the way for the Buckeyes, throwing a perfect four innings and setting a career high in strikeouts with five. Hanners handed it over to right-hander Mike Madsen in the fifth inning, and he continued OSU’s dominance over Bear hitters for the next three innings.
“I thought our pitching was outstanding, and that’s not taking anything away from Shawnee State,” said OSU coach Bob Todd. “I just thought our pitchers dominated. Chris Hanners and Mike Madsen both threw very, very well tonight, and that’s the performance we’ve been looking for out of those two.”
Lefty Trent Luyster pitched the eighth inning, while right-hander Matt Davis finished the game by retiring all three Bear batters in order.
OSU teed off on Shawnee State pitchers Derrick Heming and Brian Hines as the Buckeyes pounded out 11 hits.
“Coming into this game, we knew we had to win it,” said first baseman Paul Farinacci, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games. “All in all, it was a confidence builder for our team.”
Farinacci got OSU’s offense rolling after back-to-back walks in the third, when he struck a 2-1 pitch into center field that scored two runs that made it 3-0.
In the next inning, Buckeye third baseman Jedidiah Stephen continued the onslaught, lining his first double of the season into right-center field, scoring left fielder Cody Caughenbaugh.
The lead grew to 5-0 when center fielder Mike Rabin got his second RBI of the night with a scorching line drive that shot threw the hole between the third baseman and shortstop.
But the night belonged to OSU pitching, especially starter Hanners, who found the comfort zone in the first inning, striking out the first two Bears he faced.
“All my pitches, I was just throwing for strikes, and that’s what I need to do a lot more consistently,” Hanners said. “When you work ahead, you got them thinking more, your in control, and it works out better that way. My confidence has gotten better in the past couple of games. I just feel a lot better out there on the mound. Hopefully it will continue into next week.”
