PORTSMOUTH, OHIO – The Baldwin-Wallace College baseball team won its first game of the 2012 season today (Saturday, February 25, 2012) when it defeated NCAA Division II Walsh University, 16-4, on the first day of the Rigsby Invitational Tournament at Shawnee State University. Earlier in the day, the Yellow Jackets lost, 6-3, to the host school.

With the win, the Yellow Jackets improve to 1-1 overall. With its loss, Walsh falls to 0-1 overall.

B-W gained a 6-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. Walsh then answered with a run in the top of the second to make it a 6-1 game. The Yellow Jackets followed it with three more runs in the bottom of the second to extend the B-W lead to 9-1. After both teams scored one run in the third, B-W busted the game open with a five-run fifth inning to put the game out of reach at 15-2. Each team then scored one run and the seventh and the Cavaliers added one in the ninth to make the outcome closer.

For the game, B-W outhit Walsh, 21-5.

At the plate, the Yellow Jackets were led by junior leftfielder Brendan Toughey (East Amherst, N.Y./ St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) as he recorded five hits and reached base a sixth time after being hit-by-pitch.

Freshman designated hitter Zach Ferster (Olmsted Falls) jumped started the B-W offense when he got his first career collegiate hit with a grand slam in the first inning.

In addition, freshman second baseman Eric Murphy (Brook Park/Midpark) had four hits, including one double and one run batted-in. Freshman first baseman Kyle Chontos (Pickerington/North) had three hits and three RBI. Senior shortstop Anthony Longhitano (Cuyahoga Falls) and junior third baseman Jay Yost (Bascom/Hopewell Loudon) each recorded two hits and one RBI.

On the mound, senior righthander Josh Scott (Strongsville) earned the win as he tossed seven strong innings, allowed three runs on four hits, struck out five and walked three. Senior Bill Bostelman (Marion/Harding) and junior Jon Tenley (Wadsworth) followed in relief and combined to throw two solid innings. The duo allowed one run (unearned) and just one hit.

B-W is back in action tomorrow, Sunday, February 26 when it faces Walsh in a single, nine-inning game at 11:00 a.m. at Shawnee State in Portsmouth.