Baseball picks up 3-1 victory against Wilkes (Pa.) in day 4 of spring trip

By: Monique Bowman

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Ohio Northern baseball team moved to 4-0 overall with a 3-1 win over Wilkes (Pa.) University at the Ripken Experience Division III week in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sophomore Matt Hampshire got things rolling in the third when he doubled to right center field to bring in freshman Josh Murphy from first.

In the following inning, freshman Brian Thomas reached on a throwing error by Colonel third baseman Angus Neary and in the process brought in Cory Martin from third.

Then with two outs, junior Chad Coward singled up the middle to score Thomas and give the Polar Bears the 3-0 lead.

Ohio Northern preserved the lead defensively at the top of the fifth inning when Wilkes' Joel Watson tole second trying to distract from the runner at third looking to cross home plate. But quick reactions by Thomas at shortstop to catcher Martin kept the Colonels at bay and an infield hopper for the third out dashed their bid for a run.

Wilkes (1-1) eventually did get on the board in the seventh inning when a throwing error for the third out brought in the Colonels' Al Clocker from third. But ONU would hold on for the victory.

Sophomore Craig Leopold recorded the win. He faced 29 batters, striking out eight of them in eight innings. Sophomore Shane Parks picks up his third save of the season.

Martin went 2 for 4 and scored once, while four other Polar Bears went 1 for 3 including Hampshire, Thomas and Coward who all had RBIs.

Says head coach Justin Bergman, "Leopold pitched an unbelievable game for us today and against a strong Wilkes team. We still have some work to do offensively but we came down here to be 5-0 so that's what we look to do tomorrow."

Northern finishes its spring break trip Saturday, March 5, when it takes on Penn State-Berks at 10 a.m.