Storer, Shenefield have career day's as Baseball sweeps Kalamazoo (Mich.) 6-0, 18-4

By Caleb Scott

ADA -- Sophomore T.J. Storer broke the all-time career saves record set by former Polar Bear Shane Parks and sophomore Hayden Shenefield hit his first career home run and grand slam as the ONU baseball team swept Kalamazoo (Mich.) 6-0, 18-4 Tuesday afternoon at Wander Field.

The Polar Bears improve to 18-15 overall and remain at 6-8 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Hornets fall to 17-13-1 and remain at 13-7 in the MIAA.

Storer now leads the all-time saves list with 13 career saves and with eight saves this season moves into second place all-time at Ohio Northern for saves in a single season.

Shenefield led the way at the plate as he went a combined 6-for-9 in the two contests, including a grand slam and added six RBI and three runs scored.

Senior Nick Eltzroth went 3-for-4 at the plate, including two home runs and added fives runs and three RBI.

Sophomore Jordan Bostater went 3-for-6 at the plate, including a home run and tied for a game-high with six RBI.

After a slow start in game one, the Polar Bears got on the score board as Shenefield doubled down the left field line and scored senior Andy Lubonovic to give Northern a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

After Shenefield got on base in the sixth inning, freshman Caleb Thomas would hit a double to the left field fence to plate Shenefield and push the lead to 2-0.

In the same inning, Eltzroth would hit his first home run of the afternoon and score freshman Luke Klinehoffer to extend the lead to 4-0.

Northern would add two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and seal the victory as Bostater hit a two RBI double to center field and scored Eltzroth and Klinehoffer.

Junior Zach Maier earned the victory on the mound for Northern and improved his record to 2-2 on the year.

Storer would fan the final six Kalamazoo batters to seal the victory in game one.

Northern wasted no time getting on the board in game two as Lubonovic, Klinehoffer and Eltzroth all scored in the bottom of the first to give ONU a 3-0 lead.

In the ensuing inning, Shenefield would help extend the ONU lead as he hit his first career home run and grand slam over the left field fence and scored senior Clay Small, sophomore Jason Burkett and Lubonovic to push the lead to 7-0.

Eltzroth would hit his second home run of the afternoon in the same inning as he hit a solo shot over the left field fence to give ONU an 8-0 lead.

After Kalamazoo got one back in the third inning, Northern was able to separate themselves from the Hornets. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning Shenefield would score on a wild pitch before Bostater hit a three run shot over the left field fence and extended the lead to 13-1.

Junior Devin Carr would again add to the ONU lead in the bottom of the seventh inning as he reached home on a KC miscue and pushed the lead to 14-2.

Northern was able to complete the sweep in the bottom of the ninth inning as senior Cody Meyer, sophomore Dan McMullen, freshman Austin Peterson and Carr all scored.

Freshman Austin Frey earned his first career victory on the mound as he went five innings and only allowed one hit to improve to 1-0.

Northern will return to action Saturday as they travel to Columbus to take on Capital at 1 pm.