Sunday was much like the season to date for the Ohio State baseball team. It looked far from an offensive juggernaut in game one against Nebraska, but rebounded with a pitching gem and timely offense to win game two against the Indiana Hoosier, both taking place in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Buckeyes could never figure out the Huskers’ pitching in a 9-0 loss in the first game. Nebraska used five pitchers and kept the OSU offense off-balance, only allowing five hits all game and cruised thanks to a five-run first inning. The win by the Cornhuskers sealed the Big Ten championship for 2021 conference campaign.
Game two against Indiana was different. Starting pitcher Garrett Burhenn hurled a gem to lead a rebound for the Buckeyes. He pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits, with the lone run coming in the first inning for the Hoosiers. He struck 11 hitters and got timely outs throughout the game to carry Ohio State to a 3-1 victory.
On the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State scored a run to tie it in the top of the second inning thanks to a Connor Pohl home run. The Buckeyes then added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning on a bases-loaded, one-out, two-run single up the middle by Brent Todys. And that would be how things ended on the scoreboard with Burhenn going the rest of the way.
Brent Todys singles up the middle and puts the Buckeyes in front 3-1!#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/SIRqNLxnIn
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) May 23, 2021
With the win and loss on the day, OSU’s record now stands at 20-18. It sits in sixth place in the league with just four games on the schedule remaining. Ohio State will next take on Indiana again on Monday evening for its final away game of the year, before hosting Northwestern for a three-game weekend series to end the season.
It’s all about pride now and finishing the season on a high note to build for the future.