ADA, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University baseball team traveled to Ohio Northern University on Monday to play a game that was previously rescheduled due to weather conditions. The Battling Bishops struck first in the third inning, but the Polar Bears pulled away late to ultimately defeat OWU, 2-1. 

Ohio Wesleyan tumbles to 12-19 overall, with a 1-7 mark in the NCAC. Ohio Northern improves to 23-8 and are 8-2 in the OAC. 

After two scoreless innings to open the contest, the Red and Black pushed a run across in the third. Jack Bates ignited the rally with a leadoff single and quickly moved into scoring position when the shortstop mishandled a hard-hit ball off the bat of Drew Newman. Two batters later, Michael Malone ripped a single to right field to load the bases for Alex Snyder. Snyder delivered a sacrifice fly to deep center, allowing Bates to tag up and score.

Both sides went quiet in the fourth and fifth. A defensive miscue proved costly for the Bishops in the sixth, as a leadoff error paved the way for an ONU game-tying infield hit. The Polar Bears then jumped ahead in the seventh, using a sacrifice fly to center to take a late lead. The Bishops threatened late, but were unable to find the equalizer, ultimately leaving Nate Colyer stranded at third as they fell in a 2-1 nail-biter.

THE NUMBERS
Nate Cory got the start, going 2.2 innings and striking out one. Jacob Lowery was the first reliever out of the bullpen, throwing 3.1 innings and punching out one. Logan Schnell (L, 1-2) and Cam McKenzie each threw one inning of relief. 

Michael Malone led the Bishops with two hits, finishing 2-for-3. 

Jack Bates went 1-for-2 and scored the lone run. 

Colton Moone also finished 1-for-2.

Holden Tomlin had one hit in four appearances. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops spring back into conference play on Wednesday, as they host Kenyon at Littick Field. The doubleheader will get underway at 12 p.m., with game two set to begin at 3 p.m.