Wooster Scores Early, Unable to Rally Late at OWU

DELAWARE, Ohio – Runs were scored early in both games by The College of Wooster baseball team, but the Fighting Scots could not catch up to Ohio Wesleyan University in the late innings, falling 7-5 and 14-8 at Littick Field on Tuesday afternoon.

First-year third baseman Zack Barienbrock singled through the left side of the infield in the top of the first inning to score sophomore first baseman Ryan Kramer, who was hit by a pitch. Wooster (13-15, 3-7 North Coast Athletic Conference) upped the lead to 5-0 through three innings. Sophomore John Panstares' speed set up the second inning, with the sophomore swiping his eighth base of the season. He later scored when junior right fielder Leo Widtmann lifted a sacrifice fly down the left field line. It was 3-0 when senior shortstop Eli Westrick logged an infield single, and 4-0 on sophomore designated hitter Andrew McGowan's third-inning single through the left side.

Ohio Wesleyan caught up with a five-run sixth inning in game one. Second baseman Jack Bates' two-run single down the right field line tied the game at five. The go-ahead run scored on a Wooster throwing error from the outfield in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Andy Anthony moved to 1-5 after allowing five runs on seven hits in seven innings. Jason Monos kept the Scots off the board the rest of the way for his first save.

Sophomore Jack Spring started for Wooster and fired five shutout innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He exited after 5 2/3 innings with three runs and five hits on his line. Junior Alex Gerdenich fell to 0-4 after allowing two runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Both Gerdenich and Spring struck out four.

In game two, Wooster jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Senior shortstop Eli Westrick led off the game with a walk and scored when McGowan reached on a fielder's choice. An Ohio Wesleyan error extended the inning, as D.J. Neff threw the ball away when trying to retire Kramer on the fielder's choice. Kramer came in to score on a second error on the play. A bases-loaded walk issued to sophomore catcher Nathaniel Huxtable brought in the third run of the inning.

Wooster's lead was 8-3 after a trip to the dish in the third inning. Panstares' second homer of the year led off the inning. Westrick kept the runs coming in with a single to left center, which scored Huxtable, who reached on a hit by pitch. After a double steal by Westrick and Widtmann, Kramer roped a two-run double down the left field line.

Ohio Wesleyan scored six in its turn to the plate in the third inning. Two Wooster errors helped set up Ohio Wesleyan's big inning. The Battling Bishops pulled away with a four-run seventh, with the pull-away base knock coming in the form of a two-run single by catcher Tyler Moncano.

Alex Casper was the winning pitcher. He worked 2 2/3 innings and allowed a run on two hits. Mikey Olivieri threw four shutout innings for his fifth save of the season. Wooster sophomore Sammy De Maio fell to 2-2. All three runs on De Maio's line were unearned.

Barienbrock, Kramer, and Westrick tallied three hits each for Wooster. Westrick and Kramer each added three runs and two RBI.

Neff led Ohio Wesleyan with a 5-for-10 day with three runs scored and three RBI.

Next, Wooster hosts DePauw University (14-10, 5-1 NCAC) in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 20. First pitch is set for noon.