FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Baldwin Wallace University baseball team used a six-run inning to propel the Yellow Jackets to an 11-5 victory over the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Pa.) in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic at Terry Park #3.

Pitt.-Bradford (5-2) got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning but BW (9-2) was able to counter for two runs in the bottom of the first with some aggressive base running from junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference outfielder Reese Albright (Parma/North Royalton) and an RBI single from senior All-OAC infielder Spencer Badia (Bellaire). Bradford scored three runs in the top of the third inning to take a 5-2 lead before the Yellow Jacket pitching staff locked down and did not allow any more Panthers to cross the plate.

BW still trailed, however, heading into the bottom of the fourth inning when the offense erupted for six runs. Badia had another RBI single and then came around to score on a passed ball to bring the Yellow Jackets within one run. Freshman utility player Alex Ludwick (Brunswick/Padua Franciscan) then hit an RBI single to score sophomore infielder Jacob Bonner (Akron/Archbishop Hoban) to tie the game at 5-5. Junior catcher Asa Adams (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) and junior first baseman Philip Wells (Buffalo, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate) hit a bloop single and a two-run double, respectively, to take an 8-5 lead. BW added two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to hold on to an 11-5 victory.

Senior outfielder Chase Knodle (Poland/Seminary) and Badia led BW at the plate with three hits apiece and combined for three runs and three RBIs. No other Yellow Jacket had more than one hit.

On the mound, senior right-handed pitcher Brandon Wysong (Bradford) got the nod but was tagged for five runs on four hits and three walks in just one inning of work. Senior left-handed pitcher Chad Kuebler (Toledo/Central Catholic), junior infielder Griffin Watterson (Bay Village/Bay) and sophomore left-handed pitcher Spencer Berg (New Albany) combined for eight scoreless innings of relief, only allowing a combined three hits and two walks. Watterson earned the win in his first collegiate pitching appearance.

BW will play in its last spring break game against Kean (N.J.) University in the Snowbird Classic on Saturday, March 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the North Charlotte Regional Park #9.