Buckeyes Win 11-10 Thriller

By BRIAN KEATTS

MORNINGSIDE (June 13, 2008) - Down five runs late in the game and with nightfall quickly approaching, THE Ohio State Buckeyes mounted a furious comeback and registered a season-changing victory. With the 11-10 win over RKT Trial & Errors, Ohio State moves to 4-3, and finds itself in the thick of the playoff race.

Ohio State took an early lead in top of the 1st inning. With one out, Brian Keatts singled and scored when Sam Rosner belted a triple. Dave Busick followed with a 2-run blast, giving OSU a 3-0 lead. After RKT scored a run in the 1st inning, the Buckeyes added to their lead in the 2nd inning. Annie Heck stroked a single, and came home when Kevin Sheen launched a home run to left center field, extending the Ohio State lead to 5-1.

RKT trimmed the deficit to one run after three innings, and took a 10-5 lead after a 6 run 4th inning. RKT tried to add to their lead in the 5th inning, when their lead off batter hit a shot to right center. Clearly underestimating the fielding capabilities of these Buckeyes, the runner tried to turn a triple into a home run, but was gunned down at home on a relay throw from Busick to Claire McClafferty, who made a tremendous catch and tag out of the runner. That seemed to spark the Buckeye squad and trigger a change in momentum.

Ohio State came to bat in the top of the 6th inning still trailing by five, but that was about to change. Sheen led off the inning with a triple, and scored on a single by Kevin Ma. Grace Sacro single to put runners on the corners, and Ma scored on a fielder's choice by Nick Ponder. Keatts then smacked a two run homer to right field, bringing the Bucks to within a run at 10-9.

The Buckeye defense continued to sparkle in the latter innings. John McClafferty and Mike Green roamed the outfield with great success, allowing Ohio State to head into the final inning down a single run. Busick led off the 7th inning with a single, and scored when Lee Abramowitz launched a clutch triple to tie the game. Danny Muskat drove home the go-ahead run with a deep sacrifice fly, and once again, Ohio State held the lead.

RKT had the heart of the order up in the bottom of the 7th inning, trailing 11-0. However, Ohio State came up big. Jackie Sunderland snagged a sharp one hopper at second base, allowing the Buckeyes to control the inning and close out their opponent for an 11-10 win. Ohio State looks to keep the momentum going next week, as they play twice (including a rain date make up) in the span of three days.