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Ohio Wesleyan 4, Allegheny 1 (5/5/2002)

Junior shortstop Joe Deck (Waverly) singled in the go-ahead run and sophomore righthander Tyler Mott (Grove City) scattered 5 hits in a complete-game performance as Ohio Wesleyan defeated Allegheny in North Coast Athletic Conference tournament semifinal action on Sunday at Littick Field.

Ohio Wesleyan advances to play Wooster for the NCAC championship on Thursday and Friday at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton.

The Gators jumped to a 1-0 lead in the third when Mark Minadeo and Hector Urena opened the inning with singles, giving Allegheny runners at the corners. Bob Spithaler followed with a fielder's choice, forcing Urena at second while Spithaler scored. Mott then got Brendan Porter on a fly out and Kevin Hiles on a ground out to end the inning.

Ohio Wesleyan tied the game in the bottom of the inning when junior outfielder Travis Falk (Bryan) walked, senior outfielder Shaun Rice (Dublin/Columbus Watterson) was hit by a pitch and senior first baseman Drew Caravella (Columbus/Hilliard Davidson) singled to right, scoring Falk.

One inning later, junior catcher Mike Schultheis (Columbus/Watterson) led off with a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice by junior third baseman Mark Wherry (Dublin/Scioto). One out later, Deck singled to center to plate Schultheis with the go-ahead run.

The Bishops added some insurance in the fifth when Rice and junior catcher Bo Burnett (Powell/Olentangy) hit solo home runs.

Meanwhile, Mott was shutting down the Gator offense. Mott allowed only 1 hit after the third inning, that coming in the fifth when Allegheny loaded the bases with 1 out. Mott bounced back to strike out Porter and retire Hiles on a ground out. After that, the Gators did not have a runner reach second base as Mott retired the final 10 batters he faced. He struck out 8 and walked 2.