By: Athletic Communications Student Assistant Joe Meyer '24
BEREA, Ohio - The No. 9 nationally ranked and top-seeded Baldwin Wallace University baseball team fell in the opening game of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament to fourth-seeded crosstown rival John Carroll University by a final score of 5-0 on Fisher Field.
BW (31-9) was led by sophomore right-handed pitcher Seve Cantini (Roaming Shores/Jefferson Area) who pitched five innings in relief, holding the Yellow Jackets within striking distance after falling behind 4-0 in the fourth inning. Cantini allowed just one run on a solo home run in the ninth inning while allowing six hits and striking out three. Senior All-American infielder Luke Vonderhaar (New Bremen) went 2-for-4 at the plate, leading a lineup that was held scoreless for the first time this season.
JCU (26-13) was led by senior right-handed pitcher Matthew Auckerman, who picked up the win after tossing seven and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball, allowing five hits while striking out five.
Scoring Plays
- JCU struck first on an RBI single by graduate infielder Justin Hanley.
- A two-run single by JCU senior outfielder Bryce Holt capped a three-run first inning for the Blue Streaks', who raced out to a 3-0 lead.
- The Blue Streaks took a 4-0 lead on a wild pitch in the fourth inning.
- JCU junior infielder Joe Olsavsky hit a solo home run over the left field wall in the top of the ninth inning, capping the 5-0 result.
On the Mound
- Senior All-OAC right-handed pitcher Dawson Gabe (Lawrence, Ind.) got the start and was credited with his first loss of the year after tossing three and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on four hits.
- Cantini threw five innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on six hits and striking out three.
- Junior right-handed pitcher Gordon Seger (Rome/Grand Valley) relieved Cantini with two outs in the ninth and recorded the final defensive out for BW, escaping a bases-loaded jam.
The Yellow Jackets return to action tomorrow, May 12, for an OAC tournament elimination game against the loser of second-seeded Marietta College and third-seeded Ohio Northern University. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. on Fisher Field, with the winner set to advance to a second elimination game at 4:00 p.m.
