COLUMBUS, Ohio – Nathan Bond tallied his first home run of the season Sunday, but it was not enough as Bethune-Cookman fell to Ohio State, 13-5 at Dill Davis Stadium. In the win, Ohio State swept the weekend series – the first of its kind between the two con-conference teams.
For the second consecutive day, it was visiting Bethune-Cookman (11-18) taking the early lead in the top-half of the opening frame.
Jameel Edney was hit by a pitch, and junior Michael Cruz singled, setting up classmate Clay Middleton who was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Wildcats. Senior Nathan Bond collected the easy RBI with a walk, pushing across Edney for the game's opening score.
Ohio State (19-7-1) would answer back in the home-half of the second when third baseman Nick Sergakis delivered his fifth home run of the season with a towering shot to left. That knotted the game at 1-all.
The visitors from B-CU stepped back out in front in the fourth inning with Bond's first round tripper of the campaign on a first-pitch, leadoff homer to straight away center field. For the Cats, it was their second home run of the series, and the second in as many days to center field.
With B-CU in front, 2-1, the Buckeyes plated four runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, giving them the lead for good with a 5-2 advantage. The inning was highlighted by OSU's second baseman L. Grant Davis' three-run double to center.
The Buckeyes would tack on another seven runs in the fifth, as well as another run in the eighth.
The Maroon and Gold pushed across three runs in the top of the eighth inning.
Bond recorded his third RBI of the day with a single to center that scored Danny Rodriguez who reached on an error to lead off the inning. Nate Sterijevski collected a RBI sacrifice fly to score Middleton, and freshman Josten Heron plated Bond courtesy a triple to left. For Heron, the triple was the first of its kind for the Miami native.
The win was picked up by OSU starter John Havird who went the minimum, working five innings and allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked one in pushing his record to 2-1 on the year.
B-CU senior Alex Seibold accepted the loss, falling to 1-4 on the year. Sophomore Joseph Calamita tossed two late innings, striking out a batter and walking one. Donté Lindsay finished the game in the eighth, allowing a run on three hits and a strikeout.
The Wildcats offense was paced by Bond's 3-for-3 afternoon, securing three RBIs and scoring two runs. Cruz added a pair of hits in five trips, while teammates Middleton and Heron each posted 2-for-4 showings at the dish.
Bethune-Cookman continues its road swing Tuesday, April 5, when the Wildcats travel to North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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