The Ohio State Baseball Buckeyes are one step closer to the College World Series after defeating Wright State, 7-6, in the opening game of the Louisville CWS regional on Friday afternoon thanks to a rally in the bottom of the ninth.
With two outs in the third, junior left fielder Ronnie Dawson opened scoring with a two-out double that scored two runs. Junior center fielder Troy Montgomery followed up with his own two-RBI double, before junior first baseman Jacob Bosiokovic's single drove in the final Buckeye run of the inning.
Wright State battled back, adding six runs over the next two innings to take a 6-5 lead. The Raiders held the Buckeyes scoreless until the bottom of the ninth.
Senior third baseman Nick Sergakis got things started by drawing a lead-off walk before senior shortstop Craig Nenning sacrificed himself with a bunt to move Sergakis to second base. Ronnie Dawson, who opened scoring in the third, drove Sergakis home with the next at-bat.
After earning the second out of the inning, the Raiders intentionally walked Troy Montgomery to face Jacob Bosiokovic, who was unintentionally walked to load the bases.
Catcher Jalen Washington promptly knocked the winning hit to center field.
The Buckeyes will play the winner of tonight's No. 2 Louisville and Western Michigan contest at 4 p.m. Saturday. Wright State will face the loser at noon.
