April 9, 2002

BOX SCORE

WILMINGTON, Ohio ­ The Wilmington College Quakers came out on top of the Earlham College Quakers 6-3 in the "Quaker Bowl" on Tuesday. Wilmington used a pair of three-run innings, with the second in the eighth inning putting the game away for the hosts along with a strong pitching performance by freshman Ryan Rousch (Hamersville/Western Brown).

Earlham put the first runs on the board when they scored two runs off of a fielders choice and a single in the second inning, as the visitors then scored another run in the fourth off of a RBI base hit, giving Earlham the three run advantage going into Wilmington's half of the fourth inning.

The Green and White got their first runs of the inning when Brent Bird (Hilliard/Hilliard Darby) hit a single, scoring Al Ledford (Blanchester/Blanchester) who had tripled to start the inning.

Wilmington then got a break when, with two outs, John Elsen (Fairfield/Fairfield) hit a sharp ground ball to the shortstop, who then threw the ball over the first baseman's head, giving the Green and White another chance. With a man on first and third, Tim Hunt (Sardinia/Whiteoak) doubled into right field, scoring both Elsen and Bird, tying the game at three.

The game remained a tight battle, with neither team able to put any runs across until Wilmington's half of the eighth inning. Aaron Lawson (Hebron/Lakewood) who had tripled, scored on a passed ball, giving the hosts a lead they would not give up. Ledford then doubled, stole third and advance home when the catcher threw the ball over the third baseman's head on the steal attempt. Bird then singled and scored on a Jess Shepherd (Lexington, KY/Lexington Catholic) single. Rousch was then able to retire three of the next four batters, with the only exception being his first walk of the game.

Wilmington was led by Ledford who went three-for-four from the plate with a double and triple. Hunt batted two-for-three as Lawson and Bird each went two-for-four. Hunt had a team high two RBI's as Bird and Shepherd recorded the only other two on the game.

Rousch pitched the full nine innings for Wilmington, giving up just six hits and three runs while striking out five in the process, earning his first victory of the season. Michael Faile picked up the loss for Earlham as he pitched 7 and a third inning, allowing four earned runs and striking out one.

The win brings Wilmington's record to 11-9 on the year while Earlham falls to 3-17. The next game for the Green and White is Wednesday, April 10 as the team travels to New Concord, Ohio to take on the Muskingum Muskies, with the first game of the double header starting at 1:00.