BRADFORD, Pennsylvania – The Baldwin Wallace University baseball team defeated the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford (Pitt-Bradford), 14-7, in a single, nine-inning non-conference game at the Kessel Athletic Complex.
The Yellow Jackets (13-17) scored six times in the first, two in the second, four in the fifth and two more in the sixth to build a commanding, 14-0 lead. Pitt-Bradford (7-16) fought back with five runs in the bottom of the seventh and two in the eighth to cut the BW lead to 14-7 but could get no closer.
At the plate, BW outhit Pitt-Bradford, 19-10. Freshman left fielder Reese Albright (North Royalton) had the finest game of his young career as he was 5-for-6 with a double, run scored and a run batted-in (RBI).
In addition, senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference shortstop/ pitcher Mark Zimmerman (Akron/ Green), senior All-OAC first baseman Hunter Handel (Akron/ Green), junior catcher Alex Marcum (Granville), sophomore 3B Spencer Badia (Bellaire) and junior All-OAC 2B Cole Nieto (Brunswick/ Cleveland St. Ignatius) each had two hits. Zimmerman was 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base. Handel was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Marcum was 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and a career-high five RBI. Badia was 2-for-4 with a run scored, his second home run of the season and a pair of RBI. And, Nieto was 2-for-4 with a run scored, triple and RBI.
On the mound, senior right-hander Connor Murphy (Westford, Mass./ Northeast) started and pitched the first four innings in a game that his pitching outing was determined to be four innings prior to the game. He allowed four base hits and no runs, struck out four and walked one. He was relieved by sophomore Brandon Wysong (Bradford) with pitched a pair of scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out three and walked one. Freshman Danny Cody (Brecksville/ Brecksville-Broadview Hts.) started the seventh and was replaced by senior Paul Szabo (Richmond Hts./ Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin). Szabo got through the seventh and got one out in the eighth and was replaced by senior Brandon Cichocki (Walled Lake, Mich.) who pitched the final inning and two-thirds.
BW is back in action on Tuesday, April 20 when the Yellow Jackets (6-4 in the OAC) travel to Ada to play a key OAC doubleheader at Ohiio Norrthern University Field. The first game starts at 1 p.m. BW is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the OAC.
Fans are reminded that the official dedication ceremony for Fisher Field will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 12 noon and prior to BW's Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader versus Capital University. The first game begins at 1 p.m.