Quakers keep OAC Tournament hopes alive with sweep of Capital

WILMINGTON (April 29, 2003) -- The Wilmington College Quakers swept their first OAC double header of the season, tying the Green and White with Otterbein College for the fourth spot, the last spot, into the OAC Tournament.

In the first game the Quakers scored a pair of runs in the second inning off of a Ben Buehner (Germantown/Valley View) two-run home run, and did not look back the rest of the way. Capital scored a run in the top of the fourth inning before WC added two more in the bottom of the fifth off of a two-run home run from Chad Abbott's (Hillsboro/Hillsboro) second home run of the season. Capital cut the deficit to two at 4-3 in the top of the fifth before the Quakers ended the doubts with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by a Justin Evans (Franklin/Franklin) grand slam.

Buehner was 3-for-4 batting in the game to lead the squad, while Aaron Lawson (Hebron/Lakewood) and Abbott were both 2-for-4. Luke Ogden (Peebles/Peebles) pitched the complete game for the Quakers, scattering six hits and allowing a pair of earned runs while striking out one.

In the second game the hosts jumped out to a 2-0 lead after an inning and increased the lead by a run in both the third and fourth innings. The team's four-run lead would hold through Capital's two-run rally in the sixth.

Evans was 4-for-4 in the game batting while Abbott was 2-for-3 in the contest. John Elsen (Fairfield/Fairfield) evened his record at 3-3, pitching five strong innings, giving up just two runs on six hits while striking out four. Burt Cox (Fairborn/Fairborn) picked up his fourth save of the year pitching two innings and allowing just one hit in the process.

With the victories, the Quakers improve their record to 24-12-1 and 9-7 in the OAC while Capital falls to 4-29 and 3-13 in conference action.

The 24 team wins is the third highest single season total in school history, behind the 1988 team's 28 wins and the 1986's 26 victories.

The next game for the Green and White is slated for Saturday, May 3 when the team plays host to Division III powerhouse Marietta College with the first pitch set for 1:00 pm at Tewksbury-Delaney Field.