John McLain

WOOSTER, Ohio – For the third time in as many games of its North Coast Athletic Conference Cross-Over Series with Ohio Wesleyan University, The College of Wooster put a six-spot on the board during one inning, as it was the fourth on Sunday afternoon that was the difference in the Fighting Scots' 12-6 victory at Art Murray Field.

Already having swept the first two games of the series, thanks to a six-run third inning of the 11-3 win in the opener and a six-run seventh of the 15-5 victory in Saturday's nightcap, to earn a bid to the NCAC Tournament, Wooster (29-10, 15-3 NCAC) capped the regular season with its sixth-straight win.

Tied at two entering the bottom of the fourth, the Fighting Scots broke the game open. Ohio Wesleyan (18-19, 8-11 NCAC) got the first out that frame and nearly the second when its centerfielder made a long run to track down Craig Day's drive into right-center, but it glanced off his glove for a double. Ryan Miner followed with an infield single and steal, then Ian Vernier's soft liner up the middle was one-hopped by the second baseman, who hesitated briefly and decided to go home where Day beat the throw as Wooster took the lead.

It seemed to snowball from there. Next, Jarrod Mancine laid down a bunt and the pitcher's low throw to home plate made it 4-2, and then the Scots started hitting the ball hard – a John McLain RBI single, an Eddie Reese two-run double past the left fielder, and a Zac Mathie single to center to plate Reese – which added up to an 8-2 cushion.

Wooster tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on Cal Thomay's two-out single that brought in McLain, who had led off the inning with a two-bagger.

To their credit, the Battling Bishops crept back within 9-6 thanks to a four-run eighth inning, featuring a three-run homer by Zach Bott on the senior's last career at bat.

The Scots sealed the outcome with three runs of their own in the home half of the eighth. Reese legged out a double to start it, and later came home on a Johnathan Ray sacrifice fly. Then, pinch hitter Billy Farrow smashed a two-run home run for what turned out to be the final margin.

Steve Hagen was credited with the win (6-3). Working five innings of relief, he gave up four runs on four hits and struck out three without a walk.

McLain was Wooster's top hitter of the day with a 3-for-3, three-RBI effort.

The NCAC Tournament will take place at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio, from May 9-11.