“If we’re behind in any phase of the game, it’s the offense,” says Haire. “But we’re learning how to win. And that’s an ever-evolving process.” (Press Pros Feature Photos)
5-2 after two weekends of baseball, Justin Haire and the Buckeyes are stepping into a brighter light this weekend, playing Texas, Ole’ Miss, and Texas-San Antonio in Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
Columbus, OH – Buckeyes baseball coach Justin Haire was visibly relieved Wednesday about his team’s 5-2 start as he talked about this weekend’s series in Houston against Texas. Ole’ Miss, and Texas-San Antonio.
“The offense isn’t what we want it to be,” said Haire. But he wasn’t concerned.
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There are issues and roles to be worked out, but he wasn’t concerned.
By every indication the Buckeyes are going to undertake their toughest challenge of the season so far this season when they take their oranges to Houston’s Minute Maid Park – er, Daikin Park. Minute Maid was renamed last January when a Japanese air conditioning company headquartered in Houston bought the naming rights for the next 15 years.
“We’re learning how to win,” added Haire. “And that’s an ever-evolving process. So for our guys to get on a plane and go to play different opponents in different venues, work their way through some weekends…bounce back from some losses…all those things have been beneficial.
“By and large we’re throwing the ball well on the mound. For the most part we’ve played pretty clean on defense. Through seven games if we’re behind in any phase of the game it’s been the offense, but we’re still figuring out the optimal options with the lineup, and we’re dealing with some injuries and sickness. But that’s part of any season. But our focus and energy and passion to do things the right way has been fun to be around.”
The offense has sputtered, hitting just .244 after sevcn games. And he hoped, without question, for more power. They hit just four home runs, and catcher Mason Eckelman has half of them.
But the beleaguered and oft-question pitching staff has been eye-opening, working to a 3.44 ERA after seven games, and with 38 walks in 62 innings – about half the number given up through an equivalent proportion last year.
And more important, the bullpen, when called upon, has been predictable – Zak Sigman, Doug Bauer, Owen Graf, Andrew Edrington, et. al. – has been exactly what Haire had hoped for when he shared his pre-season optimism in a two-art Press Pros preview in early February.
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“You want to improve in every area of the game,” Haire contends. “But thre pitching staff has taken a lot of pride the the turnaround thus far. They’ve attacked the zone, they’ve worked through innings, they’ve taken on some different roles…there’s just more confidence. That’s been fun to see.
“And you never know until you play someone in a different color uniform how that’s actually going to be. Competition can do some weird things to human beings. So seeing this has been good, I’ve been pleased, and we’re not going to push the panic button with the offense.”
So no more St. Louis, and no more Memphis, the beneficiaries of the Buckeyes’ five wins so far. Now comes the heavier lifting this weekend, with single games against Texas-San Antonio, Ole’ Miss, and Texas…Friday, Saturday and Sunday…in the Bruce Bolt College Classic, benefiting the Houston Astros Foundation.
“This weekend will be a great opportunity for us,” says Haire. “We’re playing in a big league park against three really quality programs. The three teams we’re playing were a combined 22-0 going into this week, so we know their quality. And that’s great, and it’s all fine because that’s the reason you come to Ohio State. You get to play in amazing venues and have amazing opportunities. We go down there to compete and grow, and compete against the highest competition in the highest places. By the end of the weekend we’ll see where we stack up against some really good ballclubs.”
You can watch the games on Astros streaming (sign up at www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com), and start times are 12 noon (ET) for Friday and Saturday, and 2 pm (ET) on Sunday.
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