Wooster Falls to John Carroll in Return to Ohio

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster baseball team stormed back twice against John Carroll University, but the Blue Streaks' six-run fifth inning was ultimately the final blow in Wednesday's 15-11 setback for the Fighting Scots at Art Murray Field. The game was called after five innings of play due to the weather.

Wooster (5-9) climbed out of a three-run deficit in the bottom of the first inning with a five-run frame, despite having just two hits during it. Wooster pulled within 3-1 when senior right fielder Dean Brown reached on a fielder's choice that plated junior shortstop Grant Mitchell, who doubled to center field with one out. Junior designated hitter Bryn Langley made it 3-2 when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, then first-year catcher Colin Leslie drew a bases-loaded walk. First-year center fielder Dan Hanson followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, while the Scots' fifth run of the inning scored on the Blue Streaks' (13-6) second error of the frame.

Wooster trailed 7-5 when it came to the dish in the bottom of the third inning and led 8-7 when the trip to the plate was concluded. Mitchell turned on an 0-2 pitch and lifted a three-run homer out to right field. Prior to that, Hanson and senior left fielder Jack Whitehouse drew walks.

John Carroll's Sean Connolly clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning that stood as the go-ahead knock. The Blue Streaks' Joe Olsavasky added a two-run homer that started John Carroll's six-run fifth inning. Wooster turned in a spirited effort in the bottom of the frame when sophomore pinch hitter Leo Widtmann beat out a slow grounder for an infield single. First-year pinch hitter Andy Heintz scored on the play, as did fellow first-year pinch hitter Nathaniel Huxtable, who hustled all the way home from second base on the infield hit. Brown's single pulled Wooster within four, and the Scots had the tying run on deck before the Blue Streaks worked out of the jam and the game was officially called due to weather.

Mitchell went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead Wooster, which saw first-year third baseman Ryan Kramer finish with a two-hit game. Five Scots pitched in the game. Sophomore Alex Gerdenich fell to 0-3 after allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief. First-year Sammy De Maio struck out two in his inning of relief.

Connolly finished 2-for-2 with four RBI and two walks. Samuel Basso improved to 2-0 after allowing one run in 1 1/3 inning of relief.

Next, Wooster plays Mount Aloysius College (4-11) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at Washington & Jefferson College's Ross Memorial Park.