Kenyon 9, Ohio Wesleyan 6
Ohio Wesleyan 8, Kenyon 5

May 2, 2009

Sophomore second baseman Josh Gardner (Youngstown/Boardman) smacked a 2-run double to highlight a 4-run fourth inning that started Ohio Wesleyan on its way to a win over Kenyon in the nightcap of a doubleheader in the semifinal series of the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday at Littick Field.

In the opener, the Lords jumped to a 7-0 lead and held on for the win.

The teams will square off at noon on Sunday in Game 3 of the series, with the winner advancing to the NCAC tournament finals on Thursday and Friday in Springfield.

Ohio Wesleyan manufactured a run to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the nightcap. With 2 out, sophomore outfielder Scott Wise (Delaware/Hayes) was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on a single by junior catcher Steve Ruygrok (Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek).

Kenyon answered in the bottom of the inning as Pat Gunn singled with 2 outs, moved to second on an error by senior shortstop Logan Hronis (Rocky River/St. Edward), and scored on a double by Jake Calcei.

The Bishops took the lead for good in the fourth as Wise led off with a single and Ruygrok walked. After moving up on a sacrifice, both runners scored when Gardner sent a double down the leftfield line. One out later, sophomore outfielder Zach Frentsos (Delaware/Hayes) singled home Gardner. Frentsos stole second, moved to third on Hronis's infield single, and scored on a single by by sophomore outfielder Eric Livingston (Delaware/Hayes).

Kenyon closed to within 5-3 in the fifth as Will Smith and Tom Hardacker drove in runs, and made it a 5-4 game in the eighth on a leadoff homer by James Wendt.

Hronis clubbed a 2-run shot to centerfield in the ninth, giving the Bishops some breathing room, and senior third baseman Eric McComas (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves) plated a run with a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

Hronis had 3 hits for the Bishops, while Frentsos, Livingston, Wise, Ruygrok, and Gardner had 2 hits apiece.

Livingston pitched the first 5.0 innings for Ohio Wesleyan. Freshman lefthander Mason Farr (West Lafayette, Ind.) scattered 4 hits over the next 2.2 innings and freshman righthander Andrew Cox (Ashville/Teays Valley) got the last 4 outs to collect a save.

Dan White was the starting and losing pitcher for Kenyon.

In the opener, the Lords racked up 5 runs in the third, highlighted by Hardacker's 2-run double.

Ohio Wesleyan threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out on singles by freshman first baseman Tim Knezovich (Columbus/Briggs), freshman second baseman James DiBiasio (Westlake), and Frentsos, but Hronis lined into an inning-ending double play to turn the momentum back to Kenyon.

The Lords took advantage of the momentum swing, adding 2 more runs in the fourth for a 7-0 lead.

Wise smashed a 3-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to bring Ohio Wesleyan within 7-3, and Livingston's solo shot in the fifth brought the Bishops within 9-5. Ohio Wesleyan loaded the bases after Livingston's circuit clout, bringing the tying run to the plate in Knezovich, but Kenyon starter Mike Kalis retired the Bishop first baseman on a fly ball to left to end the threat.

Ohio Wesleyan closed to within 9-6 in the eighth as freshman shortstop Steve Gaydos (Strongsville) walked, DiBiasio singled, and Kenyon first baseman Hardacker misplayed Frentsos's grounder, allowing Gaydos to score. Hronis and Livingston then came to the plate as the tying runs, but Kenyon reliever Geoff Bollier retired both hitters to maintain the 3-run cushion.

Junior righthander Matthew Struble (Defiance/Edon) worked the first 5.0 innings for Ohio Wesleyan, striking out 5 and walking 6. Senior righthander Greg Vasami (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck) finished up with 4.0 innings of 2-hit relief, striking out 6.

Kalis started and pitched the first 5.0 innings to receive the win for Kenyon. Bollier pitched 3.0 innings of 1-hit relief and Nate Fedor worked a scoreless ninth for the save.

Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2