Ohio State (10-13, 1-5 Big Ten) dropped a 10-8 decision to Wright State (9-12, 3-0 Horizon) after the Raiders scored the game’s final four runs, snapping the Buckeyes’ four-game winning streak Tuesday at Nischwitz Stadium in Fairborn, Ohio.
After a scoreless top of the first for Ohio State, Wright State wasted no time building a lead, plating four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Centerfielder Andrew Duncan opened the scoring for the Raiders with an RBI groundout to third before left fielder JP Peltier followed that up with an RBI double down the left-field line, extending the lead to 2-0. Designated hitter Gus Gregory and catcher Nate Manley each added RBI singles to give Wright State a 4-0 advantage.
Ohio State responded with four runs of its own to equalize the game in the top of the second inning. Designated hitter Dane Harvey led off with a double before third baseman Maddix Simpson walked and first baseman Steven Cavaco was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Buckeye centerfielder Miles Vandenheuvel then delivered a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit in half. Left fielder Alex Bemis added a sacrifice fly to punch in Cavaco, before Vandenheuvel scored on a wild pitch to even the score at four apiece.
An RBI groundout from Wright State right fielder Cy Turner that scored Duncan gave the Raiders a brief lead in the bottom of the second, but the Buckeyes answered again in the third. Right fielder Noah Furcht singled and stole second before scoring on an RBI single from Harvey to tie the game at five.
The Raiders gained the edge back in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from third baseman Patrick Fultz, extending Wright State’s lead to 6-5.
However, Ohio State again battled back to deliver its biggest inning of the outing in the fourth. Bemis worked a walk and shortstop Henry Kaczmar singled to set the table. Furcht then hit an RBI single to left-center field to score Bemis and tie the game. Catcher Mason Eckelman followed with a two-run single, scoring Kaczmar and Furcht and giving the Buckeyes their first lead at 8-6.
Despite a strong fourth inning from Ohio State, the Buckeyes’ offense stalled over the final five frames as Wright State pulled away.
In the sixth, the Raiders tied the game at 8-8 on a two-run single from Manley.
After Ohio State stranded three runners in the seventh, Wright State’s Manley capitalized again with a sacrifice fly to score Turner and give the Raiders the lead at 9-8. Wright State second baseman Hunter Warren later drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home pinch hitter Brett Denby for an insurance run.
Despite a walk from Eckelman to begin the final inning, the Buckeyes were unable to claw back as two strikeouts and a fly-out to center field ultimately secured Wright State’s 10-8 victory.
For Ohio State, Kaczmar and Harvey paced the offense with three hits apiece, while Eckelman and Vandenheuvel each totaled two RBIs.
Buckeye right-hander Andrew Edrington (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs in one inning pitched, while right-hander Ryan Zamora provided 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen with four strikeouts.
Wright State lefty J.J. Thompson (3-1) earned his third win of the season, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out two.
Ohio State will hit the road again to face Minnesota (16-8, 2-4 Big Ten) in a three-game series from Friday to Sunday. The Buckeyes and Golden Gophers will clash at 4 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
