Greg Van Horn

Zac Mathie

A nine-run fifth inning was the difference in The College of Wooster's 18-8 thumping of fellow northeast Ohio foe John Carroll University during Thursday's non-league affair at University Hts., Ohio.

Down 6-4 entering the fifth, Wooster (21-16) saw its first seven batters reach safely that frame, starting with the first of two Greg Van Horn singles in the inning, followed by a Zac Mathie RBI double and Zack Vesco's run-scoring single. A four-pitch walk, an error, and a RBI base hit for Craig Day ensued to knock out the starting pitcher for John Carroll (16-18).

The Blue Streaks' first reliever didn't fair much better, walking in a run and then yielding a two-run single off the bat of Jarrod Mancine. After a sacrifice bunt resulted in the first out of the fifth, Van Horn beat out an infield hit for another run and Mathie contributed an RBI groundout. The Fighting Scots tacked on an unearned tally before the frame was done, which put the score at 13-6.

Wooster added single runs in the sixth and seventh, with Mathie and Billy Farrow both recording doubles in the latter inning, and a three-spot during the eighth completely put the game out of reach.

The Scots' Keenan White threw a quality start as the sophomore southpaw went seven innings. Only two of the seven runs he gave up were earned and he set down five John Carroll batters on strikes.

Highlighting Wooster's 16-hit charge were Van Horn and Mathie, who earlier in the day was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year. They each went 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Vesco (2-for-6 with two RBI), Farrow (2-for-4 with two RBI), and Matt Felvey (2-for-3 with two RBI) also had multi-hit days.

The Scots will close out their 2011 campaign on Saturday with a home doubleheader against Ohio Wesleyan University (23-15). First pitch is slated for noon.