Box Score COLUMBUS, Ga. – Freshman Sean Blackburn (Wadsworth, Ohio) threw eight no-hit innings for Ohio Dominican's baseball team, but the Panthers couldn't muster enough offense, falling 2-1 to host Columbus (Ga.) State Friday afternoon.
Blackburn, in his second career start, tossed 95 pitches and struck out six. He allowed just one runner to reach base through the first five innings before finally yielding a run in the sixth. After a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt, the Cougars scored on a two-out error to take a 1-0 lead.
The righthander worked out of trouble in the seventh after a walk and two passed balls put a runner on third with two down. Blackburn, though, ended the inning after inducing a flyout to left to keep it a one-run game, and set the Cougars down in order in the eighth.
Ohio Dominican's offense, which only put three runners in scoring position in the opening eight innings, finally got on the board in the top of the ninth. Senior Germaine McAlpine (Canton, Ohio) reached on a throwing error and stole second to lead off the inning. After the next two hitters were retired, junior John Bowron (Dayton, Ohio) drew a walk, and pinch-hitter Bobby Franks (Portage, Mich.) singled up the middle, chasing McAlpine home to even the score at one.
The Panthers, though, could do no more damage. Columbus State led off its half of the ninth with a triple off senior relief pitcher Zane Miller (London, Ohio), and after a pair of intentional walks to load the bases and set up a force play, the Cougars scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly to center.
"Sean was pretty exceptional today," Paul Page, head coach, said. "You just don't see that type of performance out of a freshman. He had his changeup working really well and was flat out dominant."
For a second straight game, the Panthers out-hit the home team, picking up six hits to just the one for CSU. Ohio Dominican, though, left six runners on base for the contest.
With the setback, ODU fell to 2-4 on the season. Columbus State, which won Thursday's contest 10-5, improved to 14-6. The Panthers will conclude their spring break with a pair of seven-inning games Sunday against No. 26 Northern Kentucky, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Champion Window Field in Florence, Ky.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
