Ohio State Deals Mamiye Sales First Loss in Convincing Fashion

By BRIAN KEATTS 

HECKSCHER FIELD (May 6, 2013) - Ohio State returned to Central Park for the first time this season tonight to take on the undefeated and division leading Mamiye Sales team.  Mamiye is undefeated no more, as the Buckeyes put on a strong performance - shutting out the sales squad en route to a 7-0 victory.

Ohio State got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning when James Klingensmith led off with a single and advanced to third on a single by Jason Smith.  With one out, Andrew Vannata stroked an RBI single, staking Ohio State to a 1-0 lead. 

With the strong pitching and fielding the Buckeyes displayed, one run would prove to be enough.  Jeff Kreisler made his first start of the season and was outstanding on the hill.  Veterans Kevin Ma and Brian Keatts capably manned the outfield and infield, respectively.  OSU also utilized their overflowing estrogen wisely - rotating a team record six female players throughout the game.  Carly Klingensmith, Jessica Brown, Jen Harbour, Pam Swidler, Denise Sluterbeck and Anne Teutschel (who teamed with husband Jeff to form the first ever husband/wife pitcher-catcher battery in franchise history) flawlessly stalked the field - leaving the sales team with little hope of cashing in on a base hit.

The Buckeyes broke the game open in the 3rd inning.  Kriesler led off with a single and scored when Jon Graham (who was no doubt inspired by the posting of the team stats earlier in the day, which showed him starting the season 0 for 7) laced a two-run homer down the right field line.  With two outs, Tom Antoniello doubled and came around to score when Evan Binder launched a triple.  James Klingensmith followed with a long home run, giving OSU a 6-0 lead.

Ohio State tacked on a run in the bottom of the 5th inning when Kriesler reached second on an error and later scored on a ground ball.  Thoroughly demoralized, Mamiye went quietly in the latter innings.  It was a big win for the Bucks, who return to Riverbank for a Friday night affair on May 17th to take on Fury.

Buckeyes Come Up Big In Season Opener

By BRIAN KEATTS

CENTRAL PARK (September 10, 2012) - Ohio State looked to be in mid-season form on this beautiful evening in Central Park as they kicked off the fall campaign with an exciting 6-5 victory over a talented KDW Bombers squad.  Solid defense and timely hitting were the keys behind another late inning rally from OSU.

Employing a short-fielder in place of their usual four outfielder alignment paid dividends right away for the Buckeyes, as the new defense prevented many would-be singles and helped keep those who did reach base at bay.  This tactic, combined with a strong pitching effort from Jessica Brown, who gutted it out on the mound despite an injured ankle, and excellent fielding by Jonathan Keller at first base allowed the Bucks to hold the Bombers scoreless for the first three innings.

Ohio State broke through in the bottom half of the 3rd, in a big way.  With Dafne-The-Supersub on base and two outs, Jon Graham crushed a two-run homer to give Ohio State a 2-0 advantage.  The Bombers cut the lead to 2-1 in the 4th, but it could have been worse had Tom Antoniello not gunned down a runner at home after a single to left field.  A momentary lapse in the field allowed the Bombers to take a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th inning.  With darkness approaching, the Buckeyes offered a spark.

Kevin Ma reached base to start the inning and took third on a single by Graham.  Carly Klingensmith followed with her third hit of the game, an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-3.  Brian Keatts tied the game with a line drive single that plated Graham.  Some lucky fielding by the Bomber's third basemen allowed the opponents to turn a double play on a sharp grounder by Jimmy Klingensmith.  With the game tied, the Bucks came through with some clutch 2-out hitting.  Antoniello place a single on the right field line to put runners on the corners.  J.T. Ferrara broke the tie with a key single, allowing OSU to re-take the lead.  Andrew Vannata followed with a solid RBI single of his own, giving Ohio State a 6-4 advantage heading into the last inning.

The Bombers managed a run in the 7th before Ohio State slammed the door on a 6-5 victory.  It was a fine way to start what looks to be a promising fall season.