BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Marietta holds on to the #1 spot in the poll this week.  BW and Mount sneak into ORV with a single, lonely vote apiece. 

[EttaFan1]

I'm anxious to see if Marietta can get out of their 'funk' they were in on Sunday with a big in-region matchup with rival Wooster. 

And Congratulations to 'Berg Coach Matt Palm for notching his 400th victory yesterday.  He has done a fantastic job at the helm of the Heidelberg baseball program.  He will have his squad back at the top of the heap in short order I'm sure. 

[Dr. Acula]

Who is Lourdes?  BW beat them 20-0 yesterday.  They had 0 R, 4 H and 7 errors in a 9 inning game.  And they're 8-41 overall?  Might as well have played Berea High School and saved Lourdes the gas.

The Wooster/Berg game didn't have the sparkle it would have in the past, but still two solid teams.  Any time you can beat a program like Wooster it's good.  Congrats to Coach Palm.  I was playing when he started there and the difference was immediate and noticeable.  He's done a fantastic job.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Lourdes is a new NAIA program in Sylvania, Ohio. They just started Sports in 2010, and added Baseball this spring.

[mideastfan2]

Who is Lourdes?  BW beat them 20-0 yesterday.  They had 0 R, 4 H and 7 errors in a 9 inning game.  And they're 8-41 overall?  Might as well have played Berea High School and saved Lourdes the gas.

The Wooster/Berg game didn't have the sparkle it would have in the past, but still two solid teams.  Any time you can beat a program like Wooster it's good.  Congrats to Coach Palm.  I was playing when he started there and the difference was immediate and noticeable.  He's done a fantastic job.

They could've played the high school team; regardless the games would've counted exactly the same towards their overall in-region record....absolutely nothing

[EttaFan1]

Adventures on the bump continued for a few innings for the pioneers.  They outscore the scots 15-9 tonight. Pitching, which has been a core strength all season has been a little shaky the last two games.  Come tourney time this has to change or the season ends much earlier than planned.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

I don't know the details, No box score yet and I was not at the game, but John Caroll beats OWU 3-1

[EttaFan1]

John Carroll may be one of the hottest teams going right now.  They looked very good against Marietta last weekend.  They got good pitching, hit the ball extremely well and made several defensive plays all game long.  They are young but they are gaining confidence every game out and they are hitting their stride at the exact right time.

[EttaFan1]

Weekend conference matchups for the contenders.

Marietta at BW this weekend.  They need at least a split here to have a chance to lock up the outright title by themselves.  BW is hitting it really well and my pose some problems.  Weather for Berea looks simply awful for Saturday (cold and rainy), much like the weather in Marietta last weekend when they played JCU.  Pitching has been spotty of late, I think they can sweep the jackets, but I'm smelling a split on this one.  BW is playing to stay in the top four (and should do so) the big question is where do they finish.  Of note, I think if Marietta sweeps, they would secure the top seed in the tourney due to Mount Union's split with BW (assuming BW is 3rd) earlier in the year.  Not sure though.
Left for Marietta: @Wilmington (should sweep)
Left for BW: vs. Otterbein.  (Possible split vs. Rueter)

Mount Union vs Wilmington.  Not much to analyze here.  Mount wins two convincingly, and stays one game behind MC with two to go.
Left for Mount Union: vs. Muskingum.  (Sweep)

John Carroll @ 'Berg.  The race for #4 ain't over yet.  A Berg sweep puts them right into the thick of things, and a one game lead over the Streaks. A split and they are tied for that spot, and the tiebreak scenarios begin (JCU split with Marietta, 'Berg was swept...might be the deciding factor if they are tied after next weekend should this happen).  JCU is as hot as they come right now.  They are hitting well, pitching well, and playing with a ton of confidence.  'Berg scratched out a split with Mount Union and BW in their last two league series and beat Wooster mid week.  This is the best matchup of the weekend and probably the most pressure packed.  I predict a split.
Left for JCU: @ Ohio Northern (Sweep)
Left for 'Berg: vs Capital (Sweep)

Muskingum @ Northern Muskingum is still around and will have a say in the race for a little while longer.  I think they split with a pesky ONU squad.
Left for Muskingum: @ Mount Union (get swept)

Otterbein @ Capital: The backyard battle.  Otterbein wins two.

[EttaFan1]

Marietta pounded out 22 hits in a 15-2 victory over st. Vincent. The pioneers tied a school record with 11 doubles in tonight's game. The offense is clicking right now.

[mideastfan2]

Marietta postpones it's DH at Baldwin Wallace to Sunday....and adds a single non-conference game at Muskingum for tomorrow.

All caused by weather predictions for Ohio this weekend.

[Dr. Acula]

Looks like all the conference DH have been pushed to Sunday now.

[EttaFan1]

Marietta played a non-league game against Muskingum today and pounded out 16 runs on 20 hits. They used a host of pitchers who have not thrown any varsity innings this year and a couple of relievers.

Final was 16-5.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount needs to take care of business today and sweep.  That could render next weekend nearly meaningless if they do.  Well, meaningless for OAC tourney purposes.  Still crucial for any at-large chance obviously.  They're going with Carlino in game 1.  Have to imagine Murzynski in game 2 as he hasn't started since April 17th and only has a 1 out save 7 days ago in between.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount leads Wilm 10-1 after 3.  Mathis with a bases clearing double to break it open.