May 4, 2002

BOX SCORE (Game 1)
BOX SCORE (Game 2)

WILMINGTON, Ohio ­ The Wilmington College Quakers did their part to get themselves into the OAC Tournament by sweeping Heidelberg, but missed their spot when Mount Union split the two games with Otterbein, securing the Purple Raiders as the fourth and final seed into the playoffs. The Quakers played to amazing games on the day, beating the 'Berg 2-1 in the first game, and then won 3-0 in the second, giving the Green and White their first winning season since 1992.

In the first game, Heidelberg struck first in the second inning when the team scored their only run of the day. The Quakers knotted the score at one in the fourth inning when Al Ledford (Blanchester/Blanchester) tripled and was then brought in by Joe Rosato (Mason/Mason). The Green and White got their final runs of the game on back-to-back doubles by Justin Evans (Franklin/Franklin) and Aaron Lawson (Hebron/Lakewood) to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage. The Quakers then retired Heidelberg in order in the seventh to give them an even 18-18 record on the year.

For the game, the team was held to just five hits, but the Quakers made the most of them, with Ledford batting two-for-two with a double and a triple, and Evans hitting two-for-three with a run scored. Rosato and Lawson had the team's only two runs batted in. John Elsen (Fairfield/Fairfield) pitched the complete game victory, scattering three hits while striking out three for his third complete game of the year.

In the second contest, the game started as a pitchers dual, with Wilmington's Luke Ogden (Peebles/Peebles) facing off against Matt Dyke of Heidelberg. The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning when the Quakers scored all three of their runs with two outs in the inning. Evans knocked in Josh Martin (Circleville/Circleville) with a single. Lawson then walked, putting men on first and second bringing Ledford to the plate. Ledford promptly singled, scoring Evans. The centerfielder's throw to the third baseman sailed over his head, allowing Lawson to cross home plate, giving the hosts a three run lead. That three run cushion would be more than enough for Ogden, as he did not allow at hit after the third inning of the game.

Each of the Quakers' six hits came from a different batter with Ledford going 1-for-1 with the RBI single and two walks, one intentional. Ogden scattered two hits while striking out three in his first career complete game.

With the wins, the team ends the season at 19-18, over .500 winning percentage for the first time since 1992, and the most wins since the 1989 squad finished the year 22-16.