The bullpen dazzled…Reliever Nik Copenhaver held USC scoreless for 2.1 innings, gave up two hits and struck out 4. (Press Pros File Photos)
A five-run first by the University of Southern California proved to be the difference…comeback attempt by Buckeyes comes up short…bullpen impressive in 5-3 series-opening loss to Trojans.
Los Angeles, CA – Their starting pitching woes continue to plague, as a 5-run start by the University of Southern California Trojans proved to be the difference Friday in a 5-3 Trojans win over the Buckeyes in the opening game of their weekend series. And all five USC runs came in the bottom of the first off Ohio State starter Drew Erdmann.
The loss drops Ohio State to 8-18 for the season, and 2-8 in Big Ten play.
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Coming off his best start of the year a week ago in a losing effort against Oregon, Erdmann again struggled to keep the Buckeyes from a deficit start, walking the leadoff man in the bottom of the first…then hit a pair of batters to load the bases. He then walked his second hitter of the inning, driving in a run, before giving up a two-run double to Trojan leftfielder Kevin Takeuchi, followed by an RBI single by second baseman Abbrie Covarrubias. USC led, 5-0.
USC starting pitcher Caden Hunter proved to be a sharp as Erdmann was ragged, striking out five of the first nine Ohio State hitters he faced, holding them hitless over the first three innings.
But in the top of the fourth the Buckeyes broke got on the board with a one-out single by Lee Ellis, a double by Tyler Pettorini, and a two-out single by catcher Mason Eckelman to score both Ellis and Pettorini. Ohio State trailed, 5-2.
Catcher Mason Eckelman had the only multi-hit game for the Buckeyes – a single and a double, driving in a pair of runs.
The Buckeyes would score again in the top of the fifth inning on a pair of walks from Hunter, followed by a single by Nick Giamarusti. Ohio State trailed, 5-3.
Erdmann would last one out deep into the third inning when he was replaced by Nik Copenhaver, and Copenhaver delivered one of his best outings of the spring, holding USC without a run over 2.1 innings, striking out four.
But the Buckeyes could do no further damage against the combination of Caden Hunter and reliever Brodie Purcell, who came in to pitch for the Trojans with one out in the sixth inning. OSU would threaten in the sixth with a one out double by Eckelman and a single by Matt Graveline, but could not score, the inning ending when Reggie Bussey hit into a 4-6-3 double play.
Gavin Kuzniewski would relieve Copenhaver in the seventh and was again impressive, recording a scoreless seventh and eighth while striking out three Trojan hitters.
But the Buckeyes came up empty in their final two at bats and USC won it, 5-3, improving to 18-11, overall, and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
USC won it with 5 runs on just 5 hits and left seven men on base.
The Buckeyes lost with 3 runs on 7 hits, committed 2 errors, and left four men on base.
Game Notes:
Buckeye pitchers struck out 9, while walking 5, and allowed just one extra base hit.
Catcher Mason Eckelman had the lone multi-hit game for the Buckeyes with a single and double in four official at bats.
OSU’s Ryan Butler gets the starting assignment when the two teams meet on Saturday at 5 pm (EDT).
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