For Immediate Release May 9, 2009

Media Contact: Ryan Maurer E-Mail: rmaurer@wittenberg.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - After a two-year drought, Wooster finds itself back atop the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) baseball heap after a two-game sweep of the Kenyon Lords, capped off with a 10-6 win over the Lords. The win for the East Division's top team earns the Scots their 12th NCAC title, all coming under 28-year head coach Tim Pettorini.

After a Craig Wocl home run opened the scoring for Kenyon in the first, Wooster responded with one of their own in the second. Then, a decisive seven-run explosion in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run blast from Scot outfielder Stu Beath that built an 8-1 bulge in favor of Wooster.

Head coach Matt Burdette and his Lords had a response, with four of their own crossing home plate on five walks in the bottom of the fourth. Kenyon added one more in the fifth to close the defecit to 8-6. Dan White pitched effectively in relief for the Lords as he tried to give his offense a chance to complete the rally.

In the end, however, there was too much Wooster pitching, as Day 1 starter Justin McDowell, the eventual tournament MVP, pitched a pair of innings to halt the Kenyon spurt. Mark Miller followed with the final two innings of scoreless ball while the Scots added two insurance runs to close the door and ensure themselves a spot in the upcoming NCAA Mideast Regional.

Miller, McDowell and Beath headlined the list of All-Tournament team selections for Wooster, that also added Shane Swearingen, Matt Groezinger, and Zack Vesco. Kenyon was repersented by Jake Calcei, Tom Hardacker, and Wocl. OWU and Wabash saw Zach Frentsos and Matt Dodaro recognized, respectively. Wooster took its fourth tournament crown in the last six years as the Scots carry a 35-8 record into NCAA postseason play while Kenyon wraps up the campaign at 24-21.

Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant

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2009 Baseball Schedule/Results