Ohio State kept its conference championship hopes alive Wednesday, knocking off Rutgers (26-30) 3-2 in an elimination game at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament behind a complete-game performance from junior right-hander Pierce Herrenbruck at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.
After three and a half scoreless innings, Ohio State got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth as shortstop Henry Kaczmar hammered a home run over the right field fence to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, Rutgers center fielder Chase Krewson tripled to open the inning before designated hitter Peyton Bonds was intentionally walked and second baseman Gabe Rivera walked to load the bases. Scarlet Knights first baseman Ryan Jaros then reached on a fielder’s choice as Krewson scored, before shortstop Yomar Carreras reached on an error while pinch runner Matt Chatelle scored to give Rutgers a 2-1 advantage.
Ohio State answered in the bottom of the inning as left fielder Alex Bemis singled and advanced to second on a balk. Right fielder Noah Furcht then singled up the middle to score Bemis and even the game at two apiece.
The Buckeyes retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth as Bemis opened the inning with a double to right field. With two outs, first baseman Dane Harvey doubled to left-center field, scoring Bemis and giving Ohio State a 3-2 lead.
Despite runners on second and third in the top of the ninth, Rutgers left both stranded as Ohio State survived 3-2.
Herrenbruck (7-3) pitched all nine innings for the Buckeyes, allowing just six hits and one earned run against 36 batters faced. He also threw three strikeouts, while walking just four batters in the win.
Bemis led Ohio State with two hits and two runs scored. Kaczmar, Furcht and Harvey recorded the Buckeyes’ three RBI.
Ohio State (30-24) will take on the loser of No. 7 Michigan and No. 11 Washington on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field. A loss will end the Buckeyes’ season, with a win advancing them to the single-elimination round.
Image courtesy of Ohio State Athletics
