Men's Tennis wins third straight match with 8-1 triumph over Baldwin Wallace

By Blake Moore

BEREA — The Ohio Northern men's tennis team posted an 8-1 victory over Ohio Athletic Conference rival Baldwin Wallace Wednesday evening at Pop Collins Court in Berea, running its current win streak to three consecutive matches.

With the win, the Polar Bears improve to 8-6 overall and 2-0 in conference action this season. Meanwhile, BW falls to 11-3 overall and 0-2 in the OAC.

Junior Connor Christian (Gallipolis/Gallia Academy), sophomore Hoang Do (Powell/Olentangy Liberty), and freshmen Andrew Cochran (Wooster) and Zach Beaschler (Ada) were each double-winners for ONU in Wednesday's match.

In doubles action, Do and Beaschler teamed up for an 8-2 victory in the No. 2 slot while Cochran and Christian upended Michael Benotti and Edwin Schartman 8-1 on the No. 3 court to give Ohio Northern a 2-1 lead.

BW claimed their lone victory in the midweek showdown with an 8-2 triumph at No. 1 doubles.

From there, the Polar Bears swept all six singles matches to preserve the final 8-1 scoreline.

In singles action, sophomore Vinh Thai (Galloway/St. Charles) led the Ohio Northern efforts, knocking off 2018 OAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year Dominic Polifrone 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in the No. 1 singles slot.

Meanwhile, freshman Noah Elliott (Hilliard/Davidson) won his team-best 14th singles match 6-3, 6-4 on the No. 2 court; Do claimed a 6-4, 6-2 decision at No. 3 singles; Beaschler battled to a 7-6 (10-8), 6-2 triumph at No. 4 singles; Cochran captured a 6-2, 6-2 triumph at No. 5; and Christian rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the No. 6 position.

Ohio Northern will return to action this Saturday, April 13 at the OAC Tennis Fest in Mason, Ohio. The Polar Bears will face off against Muskingum at 9 a.m. and Marietta at 11 a.m.