Doug Bauer threw 4.1 innings of 2-run, 4-hit baseball, with 4 strikeouts…and no walks. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Coming off ‘that trip’ to USC, the Buckeyes’ issues continued Wednesday with a revealing loss to Kent State.
Columbus, OH – Seeking a band-aid for the weekend’s unthinkable finale with USC, the Buckeyes returned to the friendly confines of Bill Davis on Wednesday seeking a reset from their 8-20 start at the exact mid-point of their season.
What they found was a Kent State team, winners of 11 in a row, that made the drippy trip from Kent with a mission in mind. If you’re another state school there’s nothing that punctuates your season like a win over Ohio State, regardless of the sport.
On a cold, misting, rainy day the Golden Flashes checked that box with a convincing 8-3 win over Ohio State that was all-too-familiar, and increasingly uncomfortable.
A team that’s struggled to both hit and pitch on the same day, one could blame it on the weather, perhaps, or the gloom of trying to dig yourself out of their 8-21 hole – frustrating to the point of maddenin. And who could have seen it coming?
But the familiarity was apparent from the game’s beginning, and Kent’s first hitter. Buckeye starter Zak Sigman walked the leadoff man, who scored just one batter later when Kent third baseman Hayden Jatczak homered. Before you could get the lid off a steaming hot chocolate the good guys were behind, 2-0.
Kent would score 2 runs in the first, 1 in the third, and 1 in the fourth, greatly aided by the fact of their leadoff hitter getting on via a walk. In fact, the leadoff hitter in each of the first four innings walked, and three of them scored.
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The Buckeyes scored a run in the bottom of the second on a Matt Graveline double and an RBI single by freshman Maddix Simpson (one of his three hits for the day)…then added a run in the fourth and a run in the sixth.
But Kent ignored the gloom of dark skies and gathering rain to score 1 in the third, 1 in the fourth, 2 each in the fifth and sixth on their way to an 11-hit day against four Buckeye pitchers.
Asked later if the horrid conditions were an obstacle for the Ohio State bats (7 hits, well-spaced), Justin Haire shared the obvious observation of the day.
“It didn’t seem to bother Kent State,” he said, the frustration in his voice unmistakable.
Sigman was done after an inning, having surrendered those two runs on 2 hits and 3 walks.
Luke Carrell replaced him for 2.2 innings, giving up 2 runs on a hit and 2 walks.
Nik Copenhaver came on with two outs in the fourth to pitch an inning…2 runs on 4 hits, and a walk.
And Doug Bauer would enter in the fifth to pitch 4.1, with 2 runs on four hits, no walks and 4 strikeouts.
It becomes redundant, but of the six Kent hitters that walked…four of them scored. In his post-game remarks, Justin Haire was short and to the point. The wear of the weekend was evident, given the recurring issue of not being able to maintain a late lead to close out a win.
“The trick to baseball, or life – whatever – is that you can’t play the scoreboard,” he began. “The game’s hard enough and if you get bogged down by what the scoreboard says you let the game eat you up. Unfortunately, we have a problem with that and it’s something we got to get better at.”
“If someone is not constantly working to put their best foot forward that’s going to be evaluated and judged as such.” – Justin Haire
To his point, he, they, have 28 games to do that…that and so much more that’s going to influence not only the 2025 Buckeyes, but the immediate teams of the future. Psychologically, the weekend’s trip to California was likely tougher than the physical fact of being swept.
“Yeah….” he responded, searching for the right words. “The biggest thing is you point out the challenges and try to draw out of them some toughness…some ability to care a little more about their teammates and the program than they do about themselves. Those are areas that we’ll continue to harp on, press on…because that’s what championship clubs do, man. They care about the ballclub, they show toughness, perseverance, they don’t play the scoreboard, or play when it feels good…when it’s not windy, or raining, or not too cold.
“They show up time and time again, every single day. That’s what pros do – real pro baseball players do – and that’s where we have to continue the focus…to draw that stuff out of our players.”
There are, to be sure, some glimpses of light. Junior transfer Doug Bauer, from Tyler Community College, in Texas, was the conspicuous bright spot for his 4-plus innings of walk-free, dominant relief, a recurring positive in the five weeks since Arlington, Texas.
“Dougie has worked really hard since getting hit hard earlier in the year,” said Haire. “He’s worked hard to tie his delivery back together and put himself in a position to be successful. That’s what you’re seeing. About two weeks ago he came out and was really good, up to 97, throwing a bunch of strikes…and we just challenged him to be consistent. We’ve got to know who we’re going to get when they go out there. He’s worked hard to stay consistent over his last two or three outings.”
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Freshman Maddix Simpson, who gave some indication of his skills back in fall practice, is likewise showing some consistency with his opportunity to play over the past month. Simpson was 4 for 10 in the USC series, and followed that up with 3 for 4 on Wednesday. In a matter of two weeks he’s raised his average from .174 to .256.
“Maddix is a guy who didn’t play a lot early, got some opportunities lately, and he’s been cashing them in. He’s been a good defensive option and we’ll take what we can get from him offensively. He’s another one who’s worked hard to be productive at the bottom of our lineup and put together a nice little stretch here. Hopefully he can hold onto that, keep working, and take advantage of his opportunities.”
The Buckeyes had 3 runs on just 7 hits and played error-free baseball Wednesday, but 3 runs has won a lot of baseball games in past hundred years. What’s becoming uncomfortably familiar are the gift runs – the walks – now 194 for the season in just 29 games. Not a shining stat, but the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in that manner.
Minnesota is here this weekend, one of those opportunities where offensively the Buckeyes will match well.
The difference will no doubt be pitching. Challenge, and opportunity.
OSU’s cumulative ERA is 9.21. Minnesota stands at 6.08, and 60 fewer walks in 29 games.
“Every day is an evaluation day,” said Haire to the question of pitchers like Doug Bauer taking advantage of their opportunities. “We tell them. And if someone is not constantly working to put their best foot forward that’s going to be evaluated and judged as such. We’ve got to continue to evaluate, to coach, and push them because that’s the job.
“You’ve got to love the group you have, but you also want to put together a team that people can be proud of.”
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