Bryant and Stratton - Ohio Bobcats Baseball: Week in Review (March 3-9, 2025)

Bryant and Stratton - Ohio Bobcats Baseball: Week in Review (March 3-9, 2025)

The Bryant and Stratton - Ohio Bobcats baseball team wrapped up a successful weeklong trip to the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, SC with a 6-2 record, improving their overall mark to 7-2. It was a week filled with standout individual performances, as both freshmen and sophomores made their presence felt, showing that the Bobcats' offense and pitching are primed for a big season.

Offensive Explosion: Puchmajer Leads the Way

Sophomore second baseman Brody Puchmajer was absolutely on fire at the plate, finishing the week with a .520 average (13-for-25), adding an eye-popping 1.677 OPS and a slugging percentage of 1.160. Puchmajer was a force, crushing 3 home runs, 5 doubles, and a triple while driving in 17 RBIs. His ability to hit for both average and power put him at the center of the Bobcats' offense, which powered them to a strong week overall.

But Puchmajer wasn't the only one providing pop. Sophomore first baseman Darius Ensley added his own power surge, batting .304 on the week with 2 home runs, a double, a triple, and 6 RBIs. The duo's ability to make consistent contact and drive in runs was crucial for the Bobcats' success in Myrtle Beach.

Freshmen Shine Bright: McLane Impresses

The freshmen were not to be overshadowed, with shortstop Gavin McLane turning heads throughout the week. McLane finished with a stellar .391 average (9-for-23) and contributed 2 home runs, a triple, and 11 RBIs. His early season performance has provided a glimpse of what could be a dynamic future for the Bobcats' offense.

Team Offensive Numbers:

As a unit, the Bobcats hit .297 for the week, cranking out 12 doubles, 5 triples, and 8 home runs. Even though the offense cooled off a bit toward the end of the trip, their ability to generate extra-base hits and put runs on the board has made them a dangerous lineup moving forward.

Pitching: Strong Staff Effort

The Bobcats' pitching staff also impressed, posting a team ERA of 4.41 over the week. The staff punched out 59 strikeouts while limiting walks to just 26. Sophomore Sam Russo delivered the highlight performance on the mound, tossing 7 innings over two appearances, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run, while racking up 12 strikeouts. Russo's dominant outings showed just how much potential this staff has.

Freshman Conor Stefan also stood out, finishing the week 2-0 with 8 strikeouts. Freshman Jude Balser delivered the only complete game of the trip, a gem in which he scattered 3 hits, gave up 0 earned runs, and struck out 7 to earn the win. Finally, freshman Markus Henry earned the team's only save of the trip, showcasing the depth of the pitching staff.

A Historic Start

At 7-2, the Bobcats are off to the best start in school history, and with strong performances from both their offense and pitching staff, the team is setting the tone for what could be a special season.

Looking Ahead: Tough Regional Test

Next week will be a challenging stretch for the Bobcats as they take their momentum on the road. The team travels to Kalamazoo Valley on Tuesday before heading to Lansing on Friday for a key regional matchup. The Bobcats will then return home on Saturday for their long-awaited home opener against Kellogg.

With a hot start and momentum on their side, the Bobcats are looking to keep their strong run going as they face off against some tough regional competition in the coming week.

Player of the Week: Brody Puchmajer (2B)

Puchmajer's incredible .520 batting average, 3 home runs, 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 17 RBIs make him the clear Player of the Week for the Bobcats. His performance at the plate was the driving force behind the team's offensive success in Myrtle Beach.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Bobcats continue to make noise early in the season!