CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The Ohio Wesleyan University baseball team continued conference play on Saturday, traveling to Wabash for a doubleheader. The Battling Bishops trailed 5-0 heading into the ninth inning of game one before the offense erupted to score three runs. However, it was not enough to complete the comeback attempt, and Wabash took game one, 5-3. OWU jumped out to an immediate 2-0 lead in game two, but the Little Giants answered the bell, outscoring the Bishops 7-2 the rest of the way to secure the 7-4 win and the sweep.

Ohio Wesleyan falls to 10-16 overall, and 1-7 in NCAC play. Wabash advances to 8-17, with a 3-5 mark in conference. 

GAME ONE: OHIO WESLEYAN 3, WABASH 5
Ohio Wesleyan starter Zane Vitense was dominant early, keeping Wabash off the hit column through the first four innings. However, the Bishops were unable to capitalize on the mound performance, as a quiet offense yielded only four hits during that span. The Little Giants struck first in the bottom half of the fifth, as a hit batter followed by a pair of singles resulted in loaded bases. The Bishops forced a double play, but not before a run came across to make it 1-0. 

Wabash tacked on four more runs in the sixth on four hits and one error. OWU suddenly found themselves in a significant hole. The Red and Black were held hitless in the seventh and eighth innings. In the ninth, Nate Colyer reached on a fielding error to ignite the rally. Luke Johnson came on to pinch hit and did his job, roping a single to left field. Nik Hilton was next, who found himself behind 0-2 in the count. The unfavorable count did not matter, as he blasted a three-run shot to left field, giving the Bishops life. The comeback bid stalled shortly after the home run. Unable to string together more hits, the Bishops saw their late-inning heroics fall just short in a 5-3 loss.

Vitense (L, 1-4) got the start, going 5.1 innings and striking out three. Marcus Suwinski threw the final 2.2 innings and punched out two. 

Hilton led the offense in almost every category, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored.

Johnson had one hit and came around to score once.

Josh Bercaw, Michael Malone, Holden Tomlin, and Alex Snyder all finished with one hit. 

GAME TWO: OHIO WESLEYAN 4, WABASH 7
OWU carried their late-game momentum in game one into the opening frame of game two. With two away and Holden Tomlin 90 feet from home, Nate Colyer delivered in the clutch. Colyer laced a line drive back up the middle, bringing Tomlin home to put the Bishops on the board. Moments later, a Wabash failed pickoff attempt allowed Colyer to advance to third. Luke Johnson continued the rally with another single up the middle, plating Colyer. 

The Little Giants answered immediately in the bottom half however, as a one-out RBI double cut the deficit in half. Following a hitless second, Wabash pieced together four runs on five hits in the third inning to jump ahead of the Bishops. The Little Giants tacked on another in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-2 advantage.

In the top of the sixth, the Red and Black utilized a two-out rally to cut into the lead. Colyer and Johnson sparked the offense for a second time, utilizing back-to-back infield singles to put runners on and reclaim momentum. Marcus Suwinski came through for the Bishops, roping a two-run triple to deep center field, trimming the deficit to 6-4.

Wabash padded their lead in the eighth, and the Bishops couldn't find the late-inning magic they needed. Held to just one hit over the last three innings, OWU's comeback hopes ultimately faded. The Little Giants completed the sweep over the Bishops, 7-4. 

Ohio Wesleyan utilized a bullpen game in the nightcap. Nathan Hurley got the start, going 0.1 innings. Nate Cory (L, 0-2) was the first to relieve Hurley, tossing 2.0 innings and striking out one. Tyler Matthews came on next, throwing one inning. Jacob Lowery threw the next 1.2 innings and punched out two. J.J. Early went 1.1 innings and sat down three. Hank Holman finished the game, going 1.2 innings. 

Colyer led the offensive attack, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Johnson also finished with two hits in four at-bats, while adding one RBI and one run scored.

Tomlin went 2-for-3 and came around to score once.

Henry Isaacs and Marcus Suwinski both had one hit in four appearances. 

UP NEXT
Ohio Wesleyan returns to the diamond on Tuesday, as they host Otterbein. The time for that game is still to be announced.