Ohio Wesleyan 2, Denison 1
Ohio Wesleyan 5, Denison 4

April 13, 2009

Senior shortstop Logan Hronis (Rocky River/St. Edward) singled home what proved to be the game-winning run as Ohio Wesleyan edged Denison in the opener of a North Coast Athletic Conference West Division doubleheader on Monday at Littick Field.

In the nightcap, sophomore second baseman Josh Gardner (Youngstown/Boardman) singled in the game-winning run as the Bishops came from behind to defeat the Big Red and complete the sweep.

The Big Red took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second of the opener. Alex Horn led off with a single, and moved to second on a balk by sophomore righthander Eric Livingston (Delaware/Hayes). One out later, Andy Johnson reached on a throwing error by senior third baseman Eric McComas (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves), with Horn advancing to third on the play. Johnson then took off for second, with Horn crossing the plate on the front end of the double steal.

Ohio Wesleyan pushed across the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the fifth. Gardner led off with a double to left center. Freshman second baseman James DiBiasio (Westlake) followed with a flare down the leftfield line, with Gardner holding at second, and sophomore outfielder Scott Wise (Delaware/Hayes) followed with a single up the middle to plate Gardner with the tying run. Sophomore outfielder Zach Frentsos (Delaware/Hayes) beat out a bunt single to load the bases, and Hronis legged out an infield chopper to third base, with DiBiasio scoring the go-ahead run.

Denison loaded the bases in the top of the seventh as pinch-hitter Peter Krieger was hit by a pitch, Justin Held beat out an infield single to shortstop, and Park Smith was hit by a pitch, but freshman righthander Robbie Shane (Hilliard/Bishop Ready) came on to retire Aidan Lucas to end the game.

Livingston worked the first 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 8 while walking 2, to collect the win. Shane notched his third save of the season.

Bob Giarratani was the starting and losing pitcher for Denison.

In the nightcap, it was the Bishops taking the early lead. DiBiasio led off the first inning with a single, moved to second on a balk by Denison starter Kevin Bratcher, took third on Frentsos's infield out, and scored on a wild pitch.

The Bishops made it 2-0 in the third as Gardner and DiBiasio drew one-out walks and Wise was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Frentsos then grounded to Denison second baseman Evan Nicholson, who misplayed the ball, with Gardner scoring and all hands safe.

Denison took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI double by Andy Johnson, an infield single by Nicholson that plated a run, and an RBI single by Park Smith.

Wise answered in the bottom of the inning, launching a 2-run homer to rightfield, scoring DiBiasio, who had drawn a one-out walk.

The Big Red came back to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth. Alex Horn led off with a walk and moved to second when Bishop third baseman Steve Gaydos (Strongsville) misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt by Bill Sanders. Tyler Nicholson stepped up to pinch-hit for the Big Red, but the runners moved up to second and third on a passed ball. With Denison no longer needing a sacrifice, Peter Krieger came on to pinch-hit and delivered a single to left to score Horn with the tying run. Freshman lefthander Mitchell Monke (Springfield/North) got out of the inning without any further damage as Johnson lined to Gaydos, who beat Sanders back to the bag at third for an unassisted double play, then Danny Pritz struck out to end the inning.

Ohio Wesleyan took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Livingston led off with a walk, moved to second on a passed ball, and went to third on a sacrifice by freshman first baseman Tim Knezovich (Columbus/Briggs). Denison reliever Lucas came back to strike out McComas for the second out, but Gardner delivered a single to center to drive home Livingston with the winning run.

The Big Red started the top of the seventh with Evan Nicholson drawing a walk, chasing Monke. Freshman righthander Andrew Cox (Ashville/Teays Valley) came on in relief and Nicholson was thrown out trying to steal second for the first out. Held was hit by a pitch, but at that point the game was called because of darkness.

Monke was the winning pitcher in relief for Ohio Wesleyan, with Cox credited with a save.

Lucas was charged with the loss for Denison.

Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2