BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University baseball team split a pair of seven-inning games with non-conference opponent Thiel (Pa.) College on Fisher Field.
BW (13-3) took the first game by a final score of 9-3 while Thiel (4-9) won game two 5-2.
Thiel scored one run in each of the first three innings and held a 3-1 lead until the bottom of the third inning. Walks by senior outfielder Chase Knodle (Poland/Seminary) and junior outfielder Reese Albright (Parma/North Royalton) and a fielder's choice from sophomore infielder Jacob Bonner (Akron/Archbishop Hoban) loaded up the bases for sophomore outfielder Dudley Taw (Sheffield Lake/Brookside). The sophomore then clobbered a grand slam to give the Yellow Jackets a 5-3 lead. BW never looked back, adding one run in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth to secure a 9-3 victory.
Senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference outfielder Alex Marcum (Granville) led the Yellow Jackets with two hits, including a solo home run. Taw had a game-high four runs batted in while Marcum had three RBIs of his own.
On the mound, junior left-handed pitcher Jack Raines (Akron/Archbishop Hoban) made his first start of the season and threw four innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks while also recording five strikeouts. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Max Adams (Massillon/Washington) earned the save with three scoreless innings of relief, allowing three hits and punching out three batters.
In the second game, Thiel again struck early, this time for three runs in the top of the first inning. BW was able to counter with one run each in the first and second innings. Knodle doubled to start off the bottom of the first. He then came around to score on a throwing error by the Tomcats' right fielder. In the second inning, senior All-OAC catcher Trent Kaltenbach (Plain City/Jonathan Alder) singled through the right side, stole second and third and scored on a double by junior first baseman Philip Wells (Buffalo, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate). However, that would be the extent of the Yellow Jackets offense while Thiel added runs in the third and seventh inning for a 5-2 win.
Knodle had two hits in the second game while Wells recorded the lone RBI.
Senior right-handed pitcher Brandon Wysong (Bradford) took the loss after he went 2.2 innings, giving up four runs with two being unearned on three hits and one walk.
BW will hit the road for a single non-conference game against Ohio Wesleyan University on Tuesday, March 20, at 4 p.m. on Littick Field.
