BEREA, Ohio - The No. 3 nationally ranked and top-seeded Baldwin Wallace University baseball team was crowned the 2024 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament champions after splitting the championship series with third-seeded Marietta College as they dropped game six by a score of 9-5 and won game seven by a score of 6-5 at Fisher Field.
Following the conclusion of game seven, the All-Tournament Team was announced on-field by OAC Commissioner, Sarah Otey. Leading off five selections from BW was senior catcher/first baseman Mark Mohnickey Jr. (North Ridgeville / St. Edward) as he was named the MVP of the All-Tournament Team. Four additional players were honored for making the team: Senior infielder Nick Clark (Willowick / Notre Dame Cathedral Latin), freshman right-handed pitcher Jake Heatherington (Bellaire), senior utility player Joey Marousek (North Royalton) and sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Walker (Fairlawn / Copley).
In game six, BW (36-8) was led by Clark, Mohnickey, senior first baseman Max Anastasio (Chesterbrook, Pa. / Conestoga), sophomore infielder/utility player Jace Druschel (Tampa, Fla. / George Steinbrenner) and junior third baseman Mally Kilbane (Olmsted Township / Olmsted Falls) as they each tallied a run throughout the game. Leading the Yellow Jackets in game seven was Mohnickey, scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Brown and Gold were also led by Clark, Druschel, Kilbane, Marousek, and sophomore left-handed pitcher Nolan Kellicker (Dover) as they each racked up a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to boost BW to its tournament victory.
Game Six
Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st - Anastasio doubled down the left field line, two RBIs; Kilbane scored; Clark scored.
Bottom 1st - Sophomore left fielder Matt Terzola (Uniontown / Archbishop Hoban) singled to shortstop, RBI; Anastasio scored.
Bottom 9th - Mohnickey homered to right field, 2 RBIs; Druschel scored, unearned.
At The Plate
- Anastasio and Mohnickey led the way with two RBIs each.
- Terzola went 2-4 while notching an RBI.
On The Mound
- Senior right-handed pitcher Garrett Miller (McMurray, Pa.) pitched for four innings with six strikeouts, allowing four runs and three hits.
- Senior right-handed pitcher Aidan Bennett (Naples, Fla. / Barron Collier) had four strikeouts while allowing five runs and seven hits after pitching for three innings.
Game Seven
Scoring Summary
Bottom 5th - Terzola flied out to center field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Druschel advanced to third; Kellicker scored.
Bottom 5th - Marousek doubled to center field, RBI; Druschel scored.
Bottom 5th - Clark homered to right field, 3 RBIs; Kilbane scored; Marousek scored.
Bottom 6th - Kilbane hit by pitch, RBI; Terzola advanced to second; Druschel advanced to third; Mohnickey scored, unearned.
At The Plate
- Clark led the way with three RBIs for BW.
- Marousek and Terzola each had a hit and an RBI.
On The Mound
- Senior right-handed pitcher Matt Sabin (Mentor) pitched for three innings and struck out four batters, holding the Pioneers to two runs and four hits.
- Freshman right-handed pitcher Matt Moscarino (Strongsville / Padua Franciscan) was on the mound for five innings with two strikeouts, allowing three runs and six hits.
With today's OAC Tournament victory, The Yellow Jackets punched their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament with an automatic bid. Seeding and opponent info will be released by the NCAA during the selection show on Monday, May 13 at 12:00 p.m.
