Ohio State University has a long history of producing elite baseball talent. Looking to continue that legacy are Kingfish OF/1B Pat Porter and 1B Zach Ratcliff. Based on their respective performances thus far, both appear to be well on their way. 

Ratcliff is tied for the league lead in home runs with five through 14 games, while Porter ranks fourth. When it comes to RBI, both find themselves in the top five as well. The duo credit selectiveness at the plate and experience against top competition in the Big Ten conference for their hot starts. But the Buckeyes are also quick to commend each other. “Pat and I are great friends,” says Ratcliff. “It’s definitely made the transition easier having someone there for you after every game whether you play well or not.”

Moving forward this summer, the Ohio natives have their work cut out for them.  “It’s all about looking for “my pitch” and trying to stay consistent from game to game,” says Porter. From a team perspective, Porter feels that minimizing mental mistakes is the key to victory. Ratcliff echoed the sentiment saying, “We have to stay focused each day and simply want it more than the other team.” The pair, batting fourth and fifth in the order, look to lead the Kingfish to their third straight victory tonight against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Woodchucks, winners of five straight, put their hot streak on the line against right-hander Zach Morgenstern.

The matchup features the two premier power hitters in the Northwoods League, as the aforementioned Ratcliff and the Woodchucks’ Paul DeJong are tied for the league lead in homers. The Kingfish will look to capitalize on the Woodchucks’ tendency to walk opposing hitters throughout the ballgame. Patience at the plate will be key in doing so against a Wisconsin squad who has walked 73 batters in 14 games, second most in the league.