Welcome to the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference. The OCCAC is made of eight Community Colleges in Ohio. The Ohio Community College promotes and fosters community college intercollegiate athletics for men and women on the state level.
Thursday, May 17
Columbus State Cougars Golf Claw Their Way Through Regionals; Earn Trip to the NJCAA DII National Tournament.
It took a solid team effort in order for the Cougars of Columbus State Community College to earn their first trip to the National Tournament as a NJCAA DII Golf Program. Led by a quartet of local players Hayden Pyles (Dublin, OH), Nathan Young (Sunbury, OH) Ash Alstadt (Columbus, OH) and Jacob Stasiuwelicz (Galena, OH) the Cougars rebounded after finishing the second round in third place. The Cougars would need to make up five strokes in the final round in order to secure at least a second place finish in the NJCAA Region XII Tournament and a berth to the NJCAA DII National Championships held at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN. Finishing with a final round of 303 the Cougars beat out Muskegon Community College (MI) by two strokes in dramatic fashion.
Final Results:
Rank Team Scores Total Par
1 Mott CC Bears 304 275 297 876 +12
2 Columbus (OH) State CC Cougars 294 300 303 897 +33
3 Muskegon CC Jayhawks 302 287 310 899 +35
4 Owens (OH) CC Express 298 303 302 903 +39
5 Oakland CC Raiders 303 304 297 904 +40
6 Grand Rapids CC Raiders 308 303 307 918 +54
7 St. Clair County CC Skippers 317 306 319 942 +78
8 Henry Ford CC Hawks 319 321 326 966 +102
9 Jackson CC Jets 324 328 331 983 +119
Columbus State Community College Player Standings
#6 Ash Alstadt - 71, 74, 75 220 +4
#8 Jacob Stasilewicz - 74, 72, 76 222 + 6
#14 Hayden Pyles - 75, 77, 75 227 + 11
#19 Andrew Henehan - 75, 77, 77 229 + 13
#27 Nathan Young - 74, 80, 78 232 + 16
#34 Kevin Kwiatkowski - 77, 79, 78 234 + 18
Berger Qualifies For Nationals With 10th Place Finish At Region XII Tourney
Sophomore Luke Berger shot a two-day, three round 224 on Tuesday in the Region XII tournament to qualify for the NJCAA D-II National Tournament at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN on May 22-25.
On the first day, Berger shot a 76 and a 73, and then he shot a 75 on the third day to finish in 10th place at eight over par. Caleb Johnson of Muskegon finished in first with a 213 thanks to his second round 67.
As a team, the Express finished in fourth place with a 903. Mott CC finished in first with an 876, while Columbus State was second with an 897 and Muskegon was third with an 899. Nine teams participated in the regional tournament.
Berger's teammates all finished in the top 27. Kyle Simmons shot a 230 (t-23rd), Greg Hermes shot a 231 (t-25th), Cleo Trumbull shot a 231 (t-25th), Walter Dorosh shot a 232 (t-27th) and Darren Gessner shot a 232 (t-27th).
Mott and Columbus State qualified for the NJCAA D-II National Tournament. To qualify as an individual, Berger had to finish in the top six among golfers on teams not on Mott and Columbus State. He ended up fourth among non team qualifiers.
Berger, who was named to the All-Region XII team, becomes the third Express golfer to qualify for the national tournament. Jimmy Bell was the last golfer to do it in 2009, while Joey Bussdieker qualified in 2007. Bell finished in a tie for 29th place, while Bussdieker finished 15th at nationals. Bussdieker even made the NJCAA D-II All-Tournament Team.
As a team, the Express have qualified for nationals in 2006 and 2008.
OCCAC Honors
In addition to all that, the OCCAC announced their postseason honors. As a team, the Express finished second behind Columbus State. Berger and Simmons each got First Team All-OCCAC, while Gessner, Trumbull and Hermes received Second Team All-OCCAC honors.
Michalak Signs With Valparaiso University
Sophomore pitcher Ashlyn Michalak has signed a letter of intent to play for Valparaiso University next season.
Michalak was the top pitcher for the Express this past year. She was 17-4 with a 1.56 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 147.2 innings pitched. She was named First Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference, OCCAC Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Region XII, and All-Region XII Tournament Team.
In her first game against Olney Central College this past season, Michalak struck out 19 batters - a school record - in the team's 5-2 win. She finished with eight double digit strikeout games, and allowed more than two earned runs only twice during her sophomore campaign. She threw a no-hitter against Lakeland Community College on April 21 to help the team clinch the OCCAC title.
In Michalak's first collegiate game, she threw a perfect game and finished her freshmen year 11-1 with 77 strikeouts in 59 innings. She earned the complete game win against No. 2 Kankakee to help send the Express to the national title game that year.
Michalak finished 28-5 with 279 strikeouts in her two-year career. The signing took place following the team's recent postseason banquet.
Michalak was part of the most decorated sophomore class in Express softball history. The 2012 sophomore class went 85-12 (44-5 in 2011 and 41-7 in 2012). The back-to-back 40 plus win seasons was a program first. Additionally, the Express won two OCCAC titles, one Region XII District G championship, and were the NJCAA D-II National Runner-Up in 2011. That was the highest finish of any women's sports team in Owens history.
She becomes the second NCAA D-I player the Express softball program has produced in the past two seasons after Kristen Roznoski continued her playing career at the University of Toledo this past season.
Michalak came to Owens after a decorated career at Springfield HS, where she helped lead her team to a Northern Lakes League title her sophomore and junior year, a district championship her sophomore and senior year, and a regional championship her senior year under coach Rob Gwozdz.
Personal accolades followed as Michalak was named First Team All-District, First Team All-Northern Lakes League and team MVP her senior year. As a junior, she was named First Team All-Ohio, First Team All-District and was the team's Coaches Award recipient.
Valparaiso is coached by Jordan Stevens. The Crusaders (42-17) just won the Horizon League Championship and will play in the NCAA D-I tournament for the first time in program history. They open up play on Friday against Louisville.
Graham Becomes Part of First Recruiting Class At Lourdes
Kasey Graham has signed a letter of intent to play for the Lourdes University softball team next season.
The sophomore pitcher will become a member of a Lourdes program that is set to begin its first year of existence.
"They have a great education program, and I wasn't ready to end my softball career," Graham said. "It's pretty neat that this will be the first ever women's softball team, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of that."
Graham finished her stellar career with the Express earlier this month. Just this past season, she posted a 13-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and 49 strikeouts. During her freshman year, she helped lead the team to an NJCAA D-II runner-up finish while posting a 5-0 record with a 2.32 ERA and 25 strikeouts.
Overall, Graham was 18-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 74 strikeouts in her two-year Express career. She was part of the most decorated sophomore class in Express softball history. In two years, they went 85-12 (44-5 in 2011 and 41-7 in 2012). The back-to-back 40 plus win seasons was a program first. Additionally, the Express won two OCCAC titles, one Region XII District G championship, and were the NJCAA D-II National Runner-Up in 2011. That was the highest finish of any women's sports team in Owens history.
Graham came to Owens following a stellar career at Clay HS (Oregon, OH) where she was named First Team All-City League and First Team All-District her senior year. Also that year, while leading Clay to a Toledo City League championship, she started 18 games, went 15-3, pitched 135.1 innings, allowed only 23 earned runs, struck out 139 and finished with a 1.19 ERA.
As a junior, Graham was a Second Team All-Ohio selection, and helped lead her team to a regional final berth.
Lourdes will be coached by Jo Ann Gordon. The Gray Wolves are members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and the NAIA.
Sunday, May 13
Cincinnati State's Josh Bialecki Finishes First in Individual Play; Team Falls by One Stroke to Vincennes in Regional Tournament
Cincinnati State sophomore Josh Bialecki finished first in individual competition at the NJCAA Region XII Tournament held at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio on Sunday afternoon.
Bialecki, whose team lost by one stroke to Vincennes University, finished his final round with a 76 while totaling a three round total of 224 strokes to win the tournament by 9 strokes. Shelby Stewart, Ryan Reedy and Mike Molt from Vincennes finished in a tie for second with tournament totals of 233. Cincinnati State's Danny Gravett finished in fifth with a 234 total.
With the win in the regional tournament, Bialecki qualifies to compete as an individual at the NJCAA National Tournament for the second consecutive year.
"I can't wait to compete and represent my team at nationals. It has been an incredible two years with this group of guys and I want to cap it off with a great performance," Bialecki said.
Here are the final standings of the regional tournament:
TEAM
1st Vincennes University (307 + 311 + 322 = 940 total strokes)
2nd Cincinnati State Community College (323 + 301 + 317 = 941 total strokes)
3rd Schoolcraft Community College (329 + 320 + 328 = 977 total strokes)
INDIVIDUAL
1st Josh Bialecki (79 + 69 + 76 = 223 total strokes)
T-2 Shelby Stewart (74 + 76 = 233 total strokes)
T-2 Ryan Reedy (74 + 79 = 233 total strokes)
T-2 Mike Molt (76 + 79 = 233 total strokes)
5th Danny Gravett (78 + 77 + 79 = 234 total strokes)
"Today was highly competitive. Josh's accomplishments this week have been gratification for his two years of hard work at Cincinnati State. As a team, we fell a little short of our goals, but we look forward to supporting Josh at nationals," Cincinnati State head coach Scott Webb said.
Bialecki will have three weeks to prepare before traveling to the NJCAA National Tournament which begins on June 5. This year's tournament is held at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, New York.
Saturday, May 12
Cincinnati State Golf 6 Back of Vincennes After First Two Rounds of NJCAA Region XII Championship
The Cincinnati State men’s golf team finished 6 strokes back of Vincennes University after the first two rounds of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII Tournament.
Held at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio, the Vincennes golf team grabbed the tournament lead with a 1st round team score of 307, 16 shots better than Cincinnati State's first round total of 323. Ryan Reedy of Vincennes shot the 1st round low score of 74.
Cincinnati State responded with a 2nd round team score of 301 which included a 69 from Josh Bialecki, a 76 from Matt Stiens, Danny Gravett's 77 and Evan Bryan's 79. For Bialecki, his 3-under par 69 marked his lowest 18 hole score of the season and a two stroke lead in individual play over Vincennes's Shelby Stewart. Vincennes held on to the 6 stroke lead after a 2nd round team score of 311.
"We all fell confident we would come out a shoot well in the afternoon," Bialecki said. "It felt great to shoot one of my best rounds when we needed it the most."
Here are the overall standings after Saturday's rounds:
TEAM
1st Vincennes University (307 + 311 = 618 total strokes)
2nd Cincinnati State Community College (323 + 301 = 624 total strokes)
3rd Schoolcraft Community College (329 + 320 = 649 total strokes)
INDIVIDUAL
1st Josh Bialecki (79 + 69 = 148 total strokes)
2nd Shelby Stewart (74 + 76 = 150 total strokes)
3rd Ryan Reedy ( 74 + 79 = 153 total strokes)
T-4 Mike Molt ( 76 + 79 = 155 total strokes)
T-4 Danny Gravett ( 78 + 77 = 155 total strokes)
"We competed hard today. Tomorrow should be fun. It is anyone's tournament," Cincinnati State head coach Scott Webb said.
The NJCAA Region XII Tournament will conclude with the 3rd and final round on Sunday with the first group scheduled to tee off at 8 am on Weatherwax's Meadows Course.
Friday, May 11
No. 12 Express Softball Defeats GRCC and Ancilla, But Lose to KVCC To Conclude Historic Two-Year Run
The No. 12 Express softball team defeated Grand Rapids Community College and Ancilla College, but were eliminated from the Region XII District G tournament yesterday with a 9-1 loss to No. 10 Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the loser's bracket finals.
The sophomore class, however, ended their two-year stint as the winningest class in program history.
Game 1: Owens CC 4 Grand Rapids CC 2
Kenny Craig delivered her biggest hit of the season in one of the biggest moments of the season as the Express defeated GRCC in a loser's bracket quarterfinal matchup.
Just after GRCC had taken a 2-1 lead in the top half of the fifth, Craig delivered a pinch hit, two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded to give the Express a 3-2 lead in the bottom half.
In the third, Aja Hall started a one out rally with a triple off the fence in left field. Sydney Barron then executed a squeeze bunt to put the Express up 1-0. It was Barron's 30th RBI of the season.
Ashlyn Michalak started in the circle for the Express, but was relieved by Kasey Graham with a runner on second and one out in the fifth inning. That's when GRCC rallied with three straight two out singles to take the lead before Craig's hit gave the Express the lead back.
The Express added an insurance run in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Michelle Hollister. Amanda Sinay, who pinch ran for Hallie Thompson following a walk, scored on the play.
In the seventh, Michalak re-entered for Graham. GRCC got a single and a walk with one out to put runners on first and second, but Michalak struck out the next two batters to earn her fourth save of the season.
Graham (13-1) picked up the win in relief, while Casey Cherry (8-9) took the loss for GRCC.
Michalak allowed two hits, one run and two walks while striking out eight in 5.1 innings combined. Graham allowed four hits, one run and zero walks in 1.2 innings. She struck out one.
Cherry allowed three hits, four runs, and four walks in 5.1 innings. She also hit four batters, while striking out four. Emily Karbutowski pitched 0.2 innings in relief of Cherry.
Craig finished 1-for-1 with two RBIs, while Hollister was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Melanie Iacoangeli was 1-for-2 with a run and two walks. Hall had the other hit for the Express, who finished with four hits.
With the loss, GRCC ended its season 29-24.
Game 2: Owens CC 5 Ancilla College 3
The Express scored five runs in the third inning to help advance past Ancilla College in a loser's bracket semifinal matchup.
Hall and Tabitha Britt delivered the two biggest hits og the game during the five run rally, which started on a bunt single from Alyssa Lassey. Following a walk by Iacoangeli and a double steal from Iacoangeli and Lassey, Britt lined a two-run double to deep left center to put the Express up 2-0.
After Hollister reached on an error, her and Britt pulled off another double steal to put runners back on second and third. Hall then drove a two-run single through the middle to make it 4-0. Hall advanced to second on the throw home.
Following that, Hall stole third and scored on a throwing error by Ancilla's catcher.
Ancilla attempted to rally back with one run in the fifth off Express reliever Lexi Sheets, and two runs off Graham in the sixth. Graham induced an inning ending, rally killing double play in the sixth with the bases loaded to keep the Express up 5-3.
In the seventh, Ancilla got a leadoff single, but another double play killed that potential rally. Graham then got the final out on a groundout to Barron at third.
Sheets (11-2) picked up the win in relief after allowing four hits, one run and four walks with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Graham allowed five hits, two runs and one walk while striking out one in two innings.
Michalak started the game for the Express. She allowed only two walks and nothing else in 1.1 innings.
Trisha Dillon started and took the loss for Ancilla. She allowed six hits, five runs (four earned) and one walk while striking out three in three innings. Emily Steele pitched the final three innings for Ancilla and allowed only one hit while striking out two.
Britt finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBIs, while Hall was 1-for-3 with a run, two RBIs and a stolen base. Lassey, Mareshah Scott, Hollister and Iacoangeli each also picked up a hit, while Iacoangeli stole three bases.
With the loss, Ancilla ended its season at 37-18.
Game 3: No. 10 Kalamazoo Valley CC 9 Owens CC 1 (6 Innings)
Hall hit a line drive, two-out double down the left field line to put the Express up 1-0 in the top of the first inning after Britt doubled to right center with one out. However, KVCC scored six runs with two outs in the bottom half of the third on their way to a 9-1 win over the Express.
Michalak started before being pulled with two outs in the third. She allowed seven hits, six runs and two walks with one strikeout in 2.2 innings. Graham pitched the final three innings and allowed seven hits and three runs.
Up 6-1 entering the bottom half of the sixth, KVCC scored three times off Graham to end the game due to the run rule.
Jacy Hagelgans pitched a complete game to pick up the win for KVCC. She allowed only three hits, one run and two walks while striking out two in six innings.
Britt, Hall and Barron picked up the three hits for the Express, while Hollister and Olivia Reeder each had a walk.
Reeder caught the first 17 innings during the three games before being replaced by Craig in the fourth inning against KVCC.
KVCC (38-9) advanced to the finals, where they took on Muskegon CC. Owens finished in third place.
Notes
The Express finished their season 41-7 overall. With that win total, the sophomore class became the winningest class in program history as they combined for an overall record of 85-12. They won two OCCAC titles, one Region XII District G championship, and were the national runner-up last year, which is the highest finish any women's sport at Owens has achieved. No other class in program history as back-to-back 40 plus win seasons.
The third place finish in this year's District G tourney ended a streak of three straight District G championship game appearances for the Express softball program.
Iacoangeli finished her freshman year with team highs in batting average (.538) and steals (66) - just short of two school records (Kylie Zweifel hit .541 with 72 steals in the 2005-06 season). Another freshman outfielder, Scott, hit .458 with 33 steals in 33 attempts while scoring a team-high 50 runs. The two of them combined to steal 99 bases.
Four freshmen (Iacoangeli, Scott, Sinay and Lassey) hit over .400. Iacoangeli led the team in walks with 20.
Hollister finished with 48 RBIs, a team-high, and finished her career with 87 RBIs. She hit .383 with 18 doubles and 37 runs this year. The school record for most doubles in a season is 23 - set by Alaina Haubert last season. Hollister was the only player to start all 48 games this year.
Michalak finished her two-year career with a 28-5 record. During her sophomore season, she accumulated a 1.56 ERA in 147.2 innings. She struck out 202 batters this year and had 279 career strikeouts.
Graham finished her career with an 18-1 record. She had a 2.12 ERA in 89.1 innings this year - with 74 career strikeouts (49 this year).
As a team, the Express pitching staff (Michalak, Graham and Sheets) had a 1.93 ERA in 305 innings. All three won at least 11 games. Meanwhile, the Express offense hit .356 as a team. 11 players had better than a .300 batting average.
After playing sparingly during her freshman year, Britt burst onto the scene as a sophomore in the #2 slot in the lineup. She hit .339 with 26 runs, seven doubles, three triples and one home run (a grand slam against Lakeland), and 26 RBIs. Her RBI total was third on the team behind Hollister's 48 and Barron's 30.
Barron had a team-high 10 sacrifice flies. Her 30 RBIs was second on the team behind Hollister.
Sinclair Baseball Season Over, Fall at Regionals in Battle Creek
A tight game was decided in the seventh inning as Sinclair fell to Jackson 4-3 in game one of the regional tournament. The Pride took the early lead in the first but trailed after the fifth inning 3-1. The offense pushed across a run in both the 6th and 7th innings, but failed to deliver the big blow when they had the chance. Jackson scored the game winner in the bottom of the 7th on a sacrifice fly to center.
Final Score: Jackson 4 #3 Sinclair 3
LP: Ryan Carter (1-2) 3IP H 2K’s
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 1-4 2RS BB, Dan Lawrence 2-4 RS, Drew Williams 1-3 SAC
The Pride lost 9-6 in game two, despite outhitting Glen Oaks twelve to nine. Curtis Wise got it done on the mound for Glen Oaks. He allowed four runs over eight innings. while striking out six. The Tartan offense made one final push in the 9th but in the end fell short.
Final Score: Glen Oaks 9 #3 Sinclair 6
LP: Ian Creager (6-3) 2IP 5H 6ER
Offensive Leaders: Multi-hit games from Joe Ford, Kyle Vander Ark, Drew Williams, Matt Sullivan, and Paul Wilson.
Sinclair finishes the season with an overall record of 44-14.
Thursday, May 10
No. 12 Express Fall To Muskegon Despite Allowing Only Two Hits
The No. 12 Express softball team faced a stiff test in their Region XII District G tournament opener on Wednesday, and they lost 2-0 to Muskegon CC as one bad inning and one bad call at home plate decided the game.
In the first inning, Muskegon put runners at third with one out thanks to a fielding error, but Express starter Ashlyn Michalak struck out the next batter. Following a walk and a steal, Michalak struck out the final batter to end the threat.
Melanie Iacoangeli then singled to lead off the Express half of the first. After being sacrificed to second, she advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, Sydney Barron and Allison Hausch struck out to end the threat.
Over the next two innings, Muskegon's only runner reached via a second fielding error from the Express, while the only runner for the Express was via a double from Iacoangeli with two outs in the third. Both runners were stranded, however, and the game was scoreless entering the fourth.
In the fourth, Michalak couldn't find the strike zone as Muskegon plated two runs despite only getting one hit. Following two walks to leadoff the inning, the Express caught a break when both runners tried to advance, but the runner at third overslid the bag and was tagged out.
With one out and a runner on second, Michalak walked the next batter before both runners then advanced on a wild pitch. A 4-3 groundout then scored the first run before Muskegon's first hit - a single - scored the second run. Michalak then got the next batter to fly out to end the inning.
In the sixth, the Express had a chance to cut into the lead or tie the game, but were foiled in part due to a tough call at home plate. After Michelle Hollister led off with a double, Iacoangeli beat a throw to first for a single. On the play, Hollister rounded third and slid home headfirst - appearing to easily beat the throw. However, the umpire called her out.
Instead of being down 2-1 with a runner on second and no outs, the Express had a runner on second, down 2-0, with one out. Iacoangeli then advanced to third on a passed ball, but Jaylee Glad grounded out to second and Hannah Morrison struck out to end the inning.
Each team then went 1-2-3 in the seventh to end the game.
The Express had four hits compared to only two for Muskegon, while Iacoangeli's 3-for-3 game allowed her to individually out hit Muskegon.
Michalak (17-3) took the complete game loss. She allowed two hits, two runs and four walks while striking out seven. Aside from the fourth inning, Michalak only allowed one hit and one walk.
Katy Burns allowed four hits while striking out 10 to pick up the win for Muskegon.
Iacoangeli raised her batting average to .556 with her three hit game. She picked up her fourth double of the season, as well.
Notes
The Express will now have to battle their way through the loser's bracket. They will take on Grand Rapids CC at 12 p.m. tomorrow. Should they win that, they would take on the winner of the Jackson CC/Ancilla CC game at 2 p.m. Then, if they win that, the Express would take on the loser of the Kalamazoo Valley CC/Muskegon CC game at 4 p.m.
If they make it past those three games, they would then have to defeat the Kalamazoo Valley CC/Muskegon CC winner twice on Friday to advance to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament.
Wednesday, May 9
OCCAC Names Softball and Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Year
Congratulations to the following players who were named as OCCAC Players and Pitchers of the Year for Softball and Baseball following the 2012 season.
Softball - Most Valuable Player - Michelle Hollister, Owens CC
Softball - Pitcher of the Year – Ashlyn Michalak, Owens CC
Baseball - Most Valuable Player - Todd Queener, Lakeland CC
Baseball - Pitcher of the Year – Corey Johnson, Sinclair CC
Tuesday, May 8
Cincinnati State's Danny Gravett wins in playoff as Surge claims 1st in OCCAC Tournament
Cincinnati State sophomore Danny Gravett placed first individually while leading his team to victory at the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Tournament held at Belmont Country Club on Monday afternoon.
Due to heavy morning rainfall, the traditional 36-holes played at the OCCAC Championship was shortened to an 18-hole tournament.
The Surge, who won the event by one stroke over Columbus State Community College, shot a team score of 308. In addition to Gravett's tournament low 74, Lasalle graduate Matt Steins shot a 77 followed by Evan Bryan's 78 and Josh Bialecki's 79.
For Gravett, a graduate from the School for Creative & Performing Arts, the performance at today's tournament marked the first time he finished first in collegiate tournament play.
"It feels great. We really couldn't believe he won and couldn't be more proud. He hasn't won a tournament since he was a little kid," Gravett's father Doug said after his son made the winning put on the 4th hole of the sudden death playoff.
Here are the overall team results from Monday's tournament:
1st Cincinnati State Community College (308 strokes)
2nd Columbus State Community College (309 strokes)
3rd Owens Community College (316 strokes)
4th Lakeland Community College (323 strokes)
5th Lorain Community College (351 strokes)
Cincinnati State will next compete in the National Junior College Region XII Tournament on May 12 and May 13 at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio with a chance to qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament for the third consecutive year.
Sinclair Men’s Basketball assists with Generation Dayton Day
Members of the Sinclair Men’s Basketball team joined forces with 100+ young professionals to take to the streets of Dayton to give back.
As unbelievable as it sounds, the rain held off long enough Friday afternoon for members of the Sinclair College Men’s Basketball team to spent 4 hours working projects throughout the Gem City. Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell even spent some time with a few members of the Tartan Pride before they headed out to their locations.
An estimated 150 young professionals took to the streets of Dayton on Friday, May 4, 2012, to “Get Out, Give Back Dayton!” Known as Generation Dayton Day, volunteers check-in at a central location for lunch before embarking on assigned volunteer missions between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Generation Dayton was founded in May of 2006. It is a diverse organization of talented young professionals who live and work in the Dayton region to meet, network, learn, grow, and establish themselves as integral components in the future success of the Dayton region. They strive to be the most all-inclusive and well-respected young professionals organization in the Dayton region dedicated to motivating all members to reach their full potential. They exist to engage, inspire, retain, and attract talented young professionals in the Dayton region by providing opportunities to connect with peers, develop professional skills, build relationships with business and community leaders, voice opinions and concerns to decision-makers, volunteer to improve the surrounding community, and have a positive impact on others and the Dayton region.
For more information about this dynamic group, contact LaDonna Wulfeck at lwulfeck@dacc.org or 937.226-8264.
Sinclair Baseball Takes Two From Kellogg In Final Day Of Regular Season
Heading to Battle Creek, the Tartans had never beaten the Bruins in Michigan during Coach Dintaman’s tenure. Though the stakes weren’t as high as a regional, the Pride finally ended their drought with two quality wins over the MCCAA Champion.
Pitchers split the games in the final tune-up before the regional and on the day, only allowed four runs. The offense found ways to grind out a few runs and were paced all day by third basemen Matt Sullivan, who had five hits.
Final Score: #7 Sinclair 3 Kellogg 2
WP: Matt Kruzel (8-1) 3IP 3H 1R 0ER 3K’s
SV: Brock Trimbur (2) 1IP K
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 1-3 RS BB, Austin Downing 1-2 RS SB BB, Matt Sullivan 2-3 RS SB 2B RBI, Blake Hall 1-3 2B RBI.
Final Score: #7 Sinclair 4 Kellogg 2
WP: Corey Johnson (6-3) 3IP 5H 2ER
SV: TJ Teets (3) 1IP BB K
Offensive Leaders: Matt Sullivan 3-4 2RS SB RBI, Darwin Argumedo 1-2 BB, Paul Wilson 2-4 SB 2B RBI, Taylor Neal 1-2 RBI.
Sinclair finishes the regular season with a 44-12 overall record and a number two seed in the upcoming regional tournament. The regional begins on Friday May 11th.
Sunday, May 6
OCCAC Names All-Conference Baseball Team for 2012
Congratulations to the following players named to the 2012 OCCAC All Conference Baseball Team:
Sinclair CC
Austin Downing
Joe Ford
Corey Johnson
Jon Thacker
Drew Williams
Lakeland CC
John Gora
Gabe Goldsberry
Andy Mitroff
Todd Queener
Cuyahoga CC
Jordan Musser
Mark Rauschenbach
Mitch Zofka
Owens CC
Ryan Hotmer
Chris Ward
OCCAC Names All-Conference Softball Team for 2012
Congratulations to the following players named to the 2012 OCCAC All Conference Softball Team:
Owens CC
Ashlyn Michalak
Michelle Hollister
Tabitha Britt
Melanie Iacoangeli
Mareshah Scott
Cuyahoga CC
Jillian Coyle
Kelly Kirkpatrick
Kayla Schmidt
Lisa Albright
Lakeland CC
Amanda Walsh
Ashley Puscian
Diana Moorman
Cincinnati State finishes 3rd in Owens Invitational
The Cincinnati State golf team placed 3rd with an overall team score of 322 in the Owens Express Invitational held at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg, Ohio on Sunday afternoon.
Cincinnati State sophomore Josh Bialecki led the team with a 77. Evan Bryan shot a 79. Matt Stiens finished with an 82 followed by Danny Gravett, who shot an 84.
Owens Community College, the tournament hosting team, claimed first place with an overall team score of 309. The Express were led by Luke Berger's 75.
Ash Alstadt of Columbus State finished with a tournament low 68.
Here are the overall team results from Sunday’s tournament:
1st Owens Community College (309 strokes)
2nd Columbus State Community College (320 strokes)
3rd Cincinnati State Community College (322 strokes)
4th Lakeland Community College (337 strokes)
5th Lorain Community College (389 strokes)
Cincinnati State will return to Belmont Country Club on Monday morning for the 36-hole Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Championship. The first group is scheduled to tee-off at 8:00 am.
Saturday, May 5
Graham and Sheets Shut Down Oakland CC As No. 12 Express Sweep Regular Season Finale
The No. 12 Express softball team was without the services of their No. 1 pitcher Ashlyn Michalak, but it was no problem as the duo of Kasey Graham and Lexi Sheets tossed 14 quality innings in a sweep of Oakland Community College.
The only thing that kept the duo from 14 shutout innings was two unearned runs in the sixth inning of game two.
Game 1: Owens 5 Oakland CC 0
Graham worked out of a couple jams to throw her first seven inning complete game of the season.
The Express offense provided plenty of run support for Graham despite only scoring in two innings. After going six up, six down through the first two innings, the Express scored four runs on six hits in the third.
Mareshah Scott and Alyssa Lassey had back-to-back singles leading off the inning. Both of them then moved up a base when Oakland's catcher made an errant throw in an attempt to pick off Scott at second. Michelle Hollister then knocked Scott in with a single to left, but Lassey was thrown out at home on the play.
After Hollister stole second, Melanie Iacoangeli singled. On the play, a wild throw to first allowed Hollister to score and Iacoangeli to advance an extra base. After a pop out, Sydney Barron and Aja Hall hit back to back RBI doubles to make it 4-0. Barron's double was a rope to left field that landed just fair, while Hall's double went right over the third base bag down the line.
In the fourth, Oakland loaded the bases with no outs. Graham, however, escaped the jam without any runs, thanks in part to a little luck. After securing a 5-2 fielder's choice groundout to get the first out at home, Graham got a fly out to deep right. However, Oakland's runner at third failed to tag on the play. Graham then got a groundout to second to end the inning unscathed.
In the sixth, the Express offense added an insurance run when an errant throw on a single by Hall plated Katlyn Whitmarsh, who pinch ran for Barron following a leadoff single.
Then, in the bottom half, Oakland stranded the bases loaded once again, this time with two outs. However, Graham got a pop out to short to end the threat.
After her offense stranded the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, Graham finished off Oakland with a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up her 12th win of the season.
Graham's (12-1) final line included seven hits, zero walks and one strikeout. Meanwhile, Oakland's Justina Saltarelli pitched the first six innings to pick up the loss. She allowed nine hits, five runs (four earned) and zero walks while striking out three.
Iacoangeli led the Express offense with three hits while finishing 3-for-4 with one run. Barron (2-for-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI) and Hall (2-for-4, 2B, SB, RBI) also had solid games.
WP: Graham, LP: Saltarelli, Offensive Leader: Barron (2-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI)
Game 2: Owens 3 Oakland CC 2
Sheets pitched six solid innings to pick up the win, while Graham pitched the seventh to pick up her team-high fourth save.
The Express scored once in the first and twice in the second to jump out to a 3-0 lead early. In the first, Iacoangeli led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Barron. It was her 10th sacrifice fly of the season - easily a team high.
Then, in the second, Kenny Craig walked and Scott singled with one out. Craig would later score on a wild pitch, while Scott scored on an RBI single by Hollister.
In the third, Sheets escaped a bases loaded jam with two outs when she got a strikeout to end the inning. Aside from that inning, Sheets had allowed only one baserunner through five.
In the sixth, the Express defense made some miscues that allowed two unearned runs to score. With two outs and nobody on, Sheets gave up a single and a double to put runners on second and third. The next two batters hit what should have been outs, but back-to-back errors made it 3-2. However, with runners on first and second, Hollister made a diving play from the second base position on a ground ball up the middle to get a force out at second to end the inning.
After the Express stranded two in the top of the seventh, Graham relieved Sheets and retired the side 1-2-3 to pick up the save.
Sheets, who improved to 10-2, allowed five hits, two runs (zero earned) and one walk. She struck out three.
Sam Chevillet took the tough luck loss for Oakland. She only pitched to the first batter of the game, Iacoangeli, and gave up a single. On the play, Chevillet was injured and had to exit. Iacoangeli later scored to give her the loss. Jenny Cadena and Kayla Provo combined to pitch the rest of the game.
Scott and Lassey each picked up two hits for the Express as Scott finished 2-for-3 with a run and Lassey was 2-for-3. Additionally, Hollister was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Iacoangeli was 1-for-2 with a run and a stolen base - her 62nd of the season.
WP: Sheets, LP: Chevillet, SV: Graham, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (1-2, R, SB)
Notes
The Express (39-5) have closed out their regular season. They will open Region XII District G tournament play on Wednesday as the No. 2 overall seed. After a first round bye, they will play the winner of Jackson CC and Muskegon CC in the winner's bracket semifinal at 6 p.m. Stay tuned to our Facebook page (Owens Express Athletics) and our Twitter page (@owensexpress) for more information and live updates.
Michalak, along with starting shortstop Hallie Thompson, missed the trip due to final exams.
Iacoangeli closes the regular season with a .545 batting average and 62 stolen bases. The single season record for batting average is .541, set by Kylie Zweifel in 2006. Meanwhile, Hollister closes out the regular season with 47 RBIs. The single season record is held by Amanda Temple, who had 54 in 2009.
With her eight shutout innings today, Graham lowered her season ERA to 1.78. Additionally, with the win by Sheets, all three Express starters have at least 10 wins.
Express Baseball Two-Hit In Season Ending Loss To Cuyahoga In Sub-Regional
The Express baseball team managed only two hits in a 7-1 loss to Cuyahoga Community College in the loser's bracket of the NJCAA D-II Sub-Region XII tournament on Saturday. The loss ends their season.
In the third, the Express took a 1-0 lead when Logan Shullick walked with one out, advanced to second when Travis Tackett was hit by a pitch, and scored on a throwing error with two outs.
Cuyahoga answered right back with two runs in the bottom half and didn't look back. The Challengers would score twice more in the fourth and three more times in the fifth.
Express starter Andrew Joseph threw the first four innings and allowed five hits, four runs and two walks while striking out one. Daniel Heatherly began the fifth inning on the mound, but allowed four hits and three earned runs before being pulled for Alex Juday, who allowed only one hit while striking out one in 1.1 innings.
Jared Mlady picked up the win for Cuyahoga. He allowed only two hits, one run (zero earned) and one walk while striking out four over seven innings.
Heatherly and Trevor Ozenbaugh had the two Express hits.
WP: Mlady, LP: Joseph, Offensive Leader: Lauer (C) - (3-3, R, 2B, SB, RBI)
Notes
Owens finishes the season 19-35 overall and 8-16 in the OCCAC (4th Place).
Sophomore Ryan Hotmer led the team in batting average (.329), doubles (14), and hits (48). Justin Elder was second in batting average (.319) with a .417 on base percentage, while Nate Manis, had a team high 29 steals. Ryan Horvath led the team in walks with 19. Nick Collins had a team-high three triples. Elder, Manis, Horvath and Collins are all freshmen.
Sophomore Clayton Ruch led the team in ERA at 1.93 and broke the school record for saves in a season with seven. Freshman Dane Davis was second on the team with a 3.21 ERA, while accumulating a team-high five wins. Sophomore Chris Ward had team-highs in innings pitched (54.2), games started (10) and strikeouts (61). He was 2-3 with a 3.95 ERA.
Friday, May 4
Mareshah Scott Named NJCAA D-II Player of the Week
Mareshah Scott, a centerfielder for the Express softball team, has been named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II Player of the Week.
The freshman hit .609 (14-for-23) with a 13 runs scored, a triple, two walks and seven stolen bases. Additionally, she extended her hitting streak to 15 consecutive games and 20 of the last 21.
Overall this year, Scott is hitting .492 with 48 runs, 61 hits, one double, one triple, 10 RBIs, six walks and 32 steals. She has not been caught stealing thus far.
Scott, a Maumee HS product, becomes the second Express softball player to earn national player of the week honors this season after Ashlyn Michalak, a sophomore pitcher, earned NJCAA D-II Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending March 11.
The No. 12 Express (36-4 overall) will close out their regular season with back-to-back doubleheaders on the road this week. On Thursday, they will travel to Macomb Community College before traveling to Oakland Community College on Friday.
The Thursday doubleheader will pick up in the sixth inning of a suspended game earlier this year. The two teams will then play one seven inning game following the conclusion of the suspended game.
No. 12 Express Split Doubleheader With Macomb, Conclude Regular Season Tomorrow
The No. 12 Express softball team closed out Macomb Community College with a 3-1 win before falling 4-2 in the second game today. The first game picked up in the top of the sixth inning after it was suspended on March 22 due to darkness.
Game 1: Owens 3 Macomb 1
Kasey Graham pitched well for five innings, while Ashlyn Michalak pitched the final two innings for her third save.
Graham allowed three hits, one run and zero walks while striking out five through five. Michalak allowed three baserunners in her two innings, but struck out four to end two threats.
Michelle Hollister plated all three runs for the Express. In the second, her two-run triple scored Melanie Iacoangeli and Hannah Morrison, who had both walked. Then, in the fourth, she hit a solo homer with two outs.
The sophomore second baseman finished 2-for-3 with a run, three RBIs, a triple and a home run.
The only run for Macomb came in the fourth Graham gave up a two-out RBI double to Shanel Johnstone.
Graham moved to 11-1 this year, while Michalak allowed one hit and two walks while striking out four in her two innings to pick up her third save.
WP: Graham, LP: Rives, Offensive Leader: Hollister (2-3, R, HR, 3 RBIs)
Game 2: Macomb 4 Owens 2
Both teams battled strong winds, but the Monarchs handled it better in a 4-2 defeat of the Express.
Katie Butler got things started with a two-out RBI single to left center to put the Express up 1-0 in the first. The rally had started with two outs and nobody on when Sydney Barron and Allison Hausch took back-to-back hit by pitches from Macomb's starter Megan Dyer.
The Monarchs then tied it up in the bottom half with a solo run off Michalak. Each team went 1-2-3 in the second before the Monarchs broke through with three runs in the bottom of the second.
That third inning featured four straight walks - two with the bases loaded. The final walk came from Graham, who relieved Michalak with one out and the bases loaded.
Graham pitched well to control the damage. After allowing the bases loaded walk, she got an out at home and a strike out to end the inning.
In the fourth, Alyssa Lassey had a two out RBI single to right field that scored Kenny Craig, who was hit by a pitch with one out. That was the final run of the game for either team, however.
Graham pitched the fourth and fifth innings, while Lexi Sheets pitched the sixth. Graham's final line included 2.2 innings, two hits, one walk and two strikeouts, while Sheets allowed one hit in a scoreless inning.
With the loss, Michalak fell to 17-2. Her final line included 2.1 innings, four hits, four runs, four walks and three strikeouts. Meanwhile, Dyer threw a complete game to pick up the win for Macomb.
Butler finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Lassey was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Hollister and Iacoangeli had the other two hits for the Express, who struggled offensively.
Macomb's Whitney Weston gave the Express fits as the leadoff hitter finished 3-for-4 with two runs. She got both Macomb rallies started in the first and third innings.
WP: Dyer, LP: Michalak, Offensive Leader: Butler (2-3, RBI)
Notes
The No. 12 Express fall to 37-5 this year, while Macomb improves to 30-20.
Owens will travel to Oakland Community College tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Raiders. It will mark the regular season finale for the team before Region XII tournament play begins next week.
Iacoangeli picked her her 60th and 61st steals of the season in today's doubleheader. She is now 11 away from tying the single season record of 72 held by Kylie Zweifel.
Sinclair's Austin Downing Named OCCAC Baseball "Player of the Week"
Sinclair second baseman Austin Downing has been named the OCCAC Baseball "Player of the Week" by the selection committee for the week ending on April 30th. Austin is from Middletown, Ohio and played for the Middies at Middletown High School.
During the week, Sinclair took out OCCAC rival Cuyahoga Community College defeating them in four straight games. During the stretch, Downing played error free baseball at second base and had a sacrifice bunt in game one and in game three.
Congratulations to Austin and Sinclair on an incredible year of OCCAC Baseball and continued luck in post-season play.
Wednesday, May 2
Owens Baseball Pitcher Chris Ward Named OCCAC Pitcher of the Week
Owens Pitcher Chris Ward has been named the OCCAC "Pitcher of the Week" by the selection committee for the week ending April 30. Chris is a left handed pitcher and sophomore from Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick High School).
During the week, Ward led the Express to an 8-2 win in conference play with his dominant complete game win over Lakeland CC. Chris struck out 14 while only allowing six hits, one earned run and two walks in seven innings.
He has decided to continue his playing career by signing to play at Grand Valley State University next season. Congratulations to Chris and the entire Express team on a successful week and best of luck the remainder of the season.
Lakeland Softball Player Ashley Puscian Named OCCAC Softball "Player of the Week"
Lakeland Softball player Ashley Puscian takes the spot as this weeks OCCAC Softball "Player of the Week" by the selection committee for the week ending April 30.
Ashley is a sophomore and plays first base for the Lakers. She is a team captain and hails out of Macedonia, Ohio (Nordonia High School).
She is known for being a tremendous leader both on and off the field and had one of her strongest weeks of the season last week against rivals Cuyahoga and Owens. She hit a pair of homeruns against Tri-C and nationally-ranked Owens to move her season total to a team-best five. She also finished the year with 35 RBIs which is good for 8th in Region XII.
Congratulations to Ashley on earning this award!
Sunday, April 29
Express Golf Ties For First In Lakeland Invitational, Takes 4th In Gettig Invitational
The Express golf team tied Columbus State for first place in the Lakeland Invitational on Friday.
Owens and Columbus State each shot a 313, while Cincinnati State shot a 320 to finish in third.
Kyle Simmons and Luke Berger each shot a 75 to lead the Express, while Conor Totzke shot an 83, Greg Hermes shot an 85, and Darren Gessner shot an 89.
Simmons and Berger tied for second place with their 75's.
With only one invitational remaining in OCCAC play, the Express sit in second place. First place Columbus State has 23.5 points through five invitationals, while Owens has 19.5 and Cincinnati State has 17. Points are accrued as follows: 5 for a first place finish, 4 for a second place finish, and so on.
Express Takes 4th In Bill Gettig Invitational At Trine University
On Saturday, the Express finished 4th of seven in the non-league Bill Gettig Invitational at Trine University. With a team score of 309, Owens finished 15 shots off first place Trine University. Calvin College (305) and Spring Arbor University (308) finished second and third.
For Owens, Hermes shot a 74, Walter Dorosh shot a 77, Gessner shot a 78, Kyle Simmons shot an 80 and Berger shot an 81. Hermes finished in a tie for third with his 74.
The Express are now off until May 6 when they will host the Owens Invitational at Belmont Country Club. One day later, the OCCAC Championships will take place at Belmont.
Joseph's Two-Hitter Helps Express Baseball Split Regular Season Finale
Andrew Joseph threw a two-hitter in a 10-0 game one win, but the Express was hurt by sloppy defense in the second game as they fell 10-6 to Lakeland in game two yesterday. The Express will now enter sub-regional play.
Game 1: Owens 10 Lakeland 0
Joseph tossed a two-hitter over six innings, while the Express offense scored eight runs over the final three innings to secure a 10-0 win.
The Express got on the board first when Trevor Ozenbaugh hit a two-run homer in the second inning.
Joseph didn't give up a baserunner until a one out single in the fourth, but he stranded that runner at second. Then, in the fifth, his team scored three more times.
Justin Elder singled, stole second and scored on a double by Ryan Horvath to open the inning. One batter later, Daniel Heatherly hit a two-run homer to make it 5-0.
The Lakers had one of their two threats in the sixth when a single and an error put two runners on with nobody out. Joseph, however, got a strikeout and two fly outs to end the threat.
In the seventh, the Express broke the game wide open. Ryan Hotmer had an RBI double, Logan Shullick had an RBI single, Horvath and Nate Manis had bases loaded walks and Elder had an RBI single to make it 10-0.
Heatherly then relieved Joseph for the seventh. After hitting the first two batters, he got a 6-4-3 double play and a groundout to end the game.
Joseph's final line included six innings, two hits and three strikeouts as he picked up the win. Matt Palko took the loss for Lakeland.
Elder and Shullick led the Express offense with three hits apiece. Elder was 3-for-5 with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases, while Shullick was 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and a double. Nobody else had more than one hit, although Horvath, Heatherly and Ozenbaugh each picked up two RBIs. Ozenbaugh also had two runs.
WP: Joseph, LP: Palko, Offensive Leader: Elder (3-5, R, RBI, 2 SB)
Game 2: Lakeland 10 Owens 6
Heatherly had another solid offensive game, but Lakeland's Todd Queener picked up four RBIs as the Express defense made some costly errors behind starter Garrett Scott.
A throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt in the first led to a 1-0 lead for Lakeland early. In the second, the Lakers added a two-run homer to make it 3-0.
Following that, only two half innings didn't feature runs.
In the third, the Express got an RBI single from Heatherly and an RBI double from Hotmer to pull within 3-2. Lakeland answered back with a run in their half of the third.
In the fourth, Ozenbaugh walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a grounder and scored on another wild pitch to make it 4-3. The Lakers, however, scored four runs in the bottom half - three on a hit from Queener - to take an 8-3 lead.
Lakeland then went up 9-3 in the fifth before Owens scored three times in the sixth. Elder had an RBI single, Horvath had a bases loaded walk, and Heatherly had a sacrifice fly.
The Lakers would score once more in the bottom half for the final margin. The Express went 1-2-3 in the seventh.
Scott allowed five hits, eight runs (two earned) and two walks while striking out two in 3.2 innings. Dane Davis pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed four hits, two runs and one walk.
Anthony Labondano picked up the win for Lakeland despite allowing four hits, six runs and eight walks in 5.1 innings. Shane Sullivan picked up a save with 1.2 innings of scoreless ball.
Heatherly was 2-for-3 with a run, two RBIs and a triple to lead the Express offense, while Elder, Horvath and Hotmer picked up the other three RBIs. Ozenbaugh added two runs, while James Moore Jr., Elder and Manis each picked up single runs.
As a team, the Express drew nine walks, but struck out eight times. Queener finished 2-for-3 with a run and four RBIs for Lakeland.
WP: Labondano, LP: Scott, SV: Sullivan, Offensive Leader: Heatherly (2-3, R, 2 RBIs, 3B)
Notes
The Express finish their regular season 18-33 overall and 8-16 in the OCCAC. They will open NJCAA Sub-Regional play this coming Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Vincennes University (35-18). Should they win, they will play at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Should they lose, they will play at 3 p.m. on Friday. The tournament is double elimination with the finals taking place on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The if necessary game would take place on Sunday at 12 p.m.
All tournament games will take place at Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus. The winner advances to the NJCAA Region XII Tournament May 11-14.
Bialecki Shoots 74 as Cincinnati State Wins Miami-Middletown Tournament
Cincinnati State’s Josh Bialecki shot the lowest individual score of 74 as the Cincinnati State golf team claimed 1st place with an overall team score of 310 in the Miami-Middletown Tournament held at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to Bialecki’s 74, Matt Stiens shot a 77. Danny Gravett finished with a 78 followed by Evan Bryan’s 81 to round out Cincinnati State’s four lowest scores in the non-conference event which had to be moved to Weatherwax Golf Course due to unplayable conditions at Wildwood Golf Club.
Here are the overall team results from Saturday’s tournament:
1st Cincinnati State Community College (310 strokes)
2nd Miami-Hamilton University (320 strokes)
3rd Ohio State University-Lima (324 strokes)
4th Ohio University-Zanesville (329 strokes)
5th Ohio University-Chillicothe (331 strokes)
6th Kent State-Tuscarawas University (338 strokes)
7th Miami-Middletown University (358 strokes)
“It feels good to play well. I am starting to consistently play the way I want to. As a team, we all shot solid rounds which is great considering the fact that we will see this course again during the regional tournament,” Bialecki, a sophomore from Toledo, Ohio, said.
Cincinnati State will next travel to Perrysburg, Ohio for the Owens Express Invitational on Sunday, May 6 followed by the 36-hole Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Championship on Monday, May 7. Both tournaments will be played at Belmont Country Club.
The Surge will return to Weatherwax for the Regional Tournament Championship held on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13.
Saturday, April 28
Cincinnati State Golf Finishes in 3rd Place at Laker Invitational
The Cincinnati State golf team placed 3rd place with a team score of 320 total strokes in Friday's Laker Invitational hosted by Lakeland Community College at Little Mountain Golf Course in Concord, Ohio.
Cincinnati State was led by sophomore Josh Bialecki, who shot a 75. Evan Bryan finished with an 80 followed by Matt Stiens, a LaSalle graduate, who shot 81. Jake Ripberger and Danny Gravett tied for the team's fourth lowest score at 84.
Here are the overall team results from today’s tournament:
T-1st place: Columbus State Community College (313 strokes)
T-1st place: Owens Community College (313 strokes)
3rd place: Cincinnati State Community College (320 strokes)
4th place: Lakeland Community College (340 strokes)
Ash Alstadt from Columbus State Community College shot a tournament low 74. Bialecki's 75 put him in a tie for second place with Owens Community College's Luke Berger and Kyle Simmons.
Cincinnati State will next play in a non-league match hosted by Miami-Middletown on Saturday afternoon. Held at Wildwood Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio, the tournament is set to begin at 1:00 pm.
Owens Galvan Signs With Marian University
Express center Hailey Galvan has signed a letter of intent to continue her playing career at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.
A ceremony was held in the Student Health and Activities Center today. She chose Marian over schools such as Indiana Tech, Rio Grande, Spring Arbor and Eckerd College.
"I just liked the environment of the school," Galvan said of her choice. "I feel that being in a big city will not only provide me with athletic and academic opportunities, but a lot of life opportunities as well."
Galvan averaged 4.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game during her sophomore year. It was on the defensive end of the court where she made her mark as she broke school records for most blocks in one game (12, twice) and in a season (132, 2011-12). Her single game mark is also an national record at the NJCAA D-II level.
As a freshman, Galvan averaged 3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game and is a two-time recipient of the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, she blocked 234 shots in her career - just 13 blocks shy of tying the school's career blocks record.
In a game this past season against Mid-Michigan CC, Galvan had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocks.
Marian University's head women's basketball coach Todd Bacon is excited to have a player with Galvan's defensive ability.
"She's very athletic and aggressive toward rebounding and blocking shots, and we feel she's got a lot more offensive potential over the next two years."
Bacon is also excited because Galvan will be able to fill the lane - allowing his top shot blocker the last two seasons, Rachel Turk, to move out to the perimeter.
"I'm just really proud of the accomplishments she has obtained here at Owens," said Owens head women's basketball coach Michael Llanas. "She's made a great decision in going to Marian. Like Owens, she's going to get a great education and be part of a competitive basketball team."
Marian University is a member of the NAIA and competes in the Mid-Central College Conference. They finished 18-10 last season and ended their year with a loss in the first round of the MCC Tournament.
Galvan is a 2010 graduate of Archbold HS in Archbold, OH where she broke school records for most blocks in a game and in a career. She is the daughter of Roel and Dana Galvan.
Hall Honored As Program's Second 1,000 Point Scorer
In addition to Galvan's signing, Express sophomore Aja Hall was honored today.
Hall averaged 18.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and two steals per game this past year and finished her Owens career with 1,010 points. She became only the second women's basketball player in school history to eclipse 1,000 career points (Amy Amstutz, 1997-99).
Express women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas presented her with a specially designed basketball to commemorate her achievement.
Hall is currently playing for the No. 10 Express softball team, and is contemplating her choice of where to play basketball next season. She is a graduate of Fostoria HS in Fostoria, OH, where she holds the school records for career scoring and rebounding.
Friday, April 27
Cincinnati State Golf Finishes in 3rd Place at Lorain Invitational
The Cincinnati State golf team finished in 3rd place with a team score of 310 total strokes in Thursday's Lorain Invitational held at Elyria Country Club in Elyria, Ohio.
Here are the overall team results from the tournament:
1st place: Columbus State Community College (286 strokes)
2nd place: Owens Community College (301 strokes)
3rd place: Cincinnati State Community College (310 strokes)
4th place: Lakeland Community College (316 strokes)
5th place: Lorain Community College ( 352 strokes)
In rainy conditions and cool temperatures, Cincinnati State's Danny Gravett shot his collegiate career best 73. Josh Bialecki followed Gravett with a 78. Evan Bryan, a Mason High School graduate, shot 79. Matt Stiens, who returned to the team after spending the early part of the week in the hospital, finished with an 80.
Columbus State's first place finish was highlighted by Ash Alstadt, who shot the tournament low round of 68, and Lance Clark, who recorded a hole-in-one on the 13th hole in route to a score of 80.
Cincinnati State will return to action on Friday morning in the Lakeland Community College Invitational held at Little Mountain Golf Course in Concord, Ohio. The first group is scheduled to tee off at 9:00 am.
Britt and Hollister Hit Grand Slams, Barron Adds a Solo Shot As No. 10 Express Softball Rout Lakeland CC
Tabitha Britt, Michelle Hollister and Sydney Barron all went deep as the No. 10 Express closed out their OCCAC slate with a sweep of Lakeland Community College on the road.
Game 1: Owens 15 Lakeland 7 (6 Innings)
Hollister's sixth inning grand slam ended any thoughts Lakeland had of a comeback as the Express racked up 18 hits.
The Express offense scored early and often against Lakeland starter Kara Fitzgerald. After Melanie Iacoangeli singled, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Barron in the first, an eight run second inning broke the game open.
Mareshah Scott opened the inning with a triple, and Hallie Thompson knocked her home with a single in the next at bat. Other run scoring plays included an RBI double by Hollister, a double steal by Iacoangeli and Hollister that included a steal of home by Hollister, an RBI single by Barron, a two-run single by Alyssa Lassey, an RBI double by Hannah Morrison, and another RBI single by Thompson.
Lakeland then scored two runs in the bottom of the second off Express starter Ashlyn Michalak, who ended up having her worst outing of the season. Coincidentally, Michalak picked up her only loss last season in relief at Lakeland.
The Express would add an RBI double from Morrison in the third and an RBI single by Iacoangeli in the fourth to take an 11-2 lead through four and a half. However, needing three more outs to end the game, Michalak allowed a three run homer to right field by Ashley Puscian to trim the lead to 11-5. The ball actually bounced off the top of the fence before going over.
Kasey Graham relieved Michalak after the next batter reached on an error and got out of the inning without any further damage.
Then, in the sixth, Thompson and Amanda Sinay reached on errors while Scott singled to load the bases. That set up Hollister's grand slam to center field to make it 15-5.
Graham allowed two unearned runs in the seventh to end the scoring.
There was plenty of offensive stars for the Express as Hollister was 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, a grand slam and five RBIs, Scott was 3-for-4 with two runs and a triple, Iacoangeli was 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, a walk and five stolen bases, Barron was 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs, Lassey was 1-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base, Morrison was 2-for-3 with a run, two RBIs, two doubles and walk, and Thompson was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Michalak picked up the win and moved to 16-1 this year. She allowed five hits and four walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings. Graham allowed two hits and two runs (zero earned) while striking out one in 1.2 innings.
Fitzgerald took the loss for Lakeland as she allowed nine hits, nine runs, and two walks in one plus innings pitched. The first eight batters reached (seven via hits) against Fitzgerald in the second before Liz Shull relieved her and finished the game.
WP: Michalak (16-1), LP: Fitzgerald, Offensive Leader: Hollister (3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, GS, 5 RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 9 Lakeland 0 (5 Innings)
Lassey and Britt carried the Express offense, while Graham twirled a three hit, five inning complete game shutout as the Express closed out OCCAC play with an undefeated record.
After Britt tripled with one out in the first, Lassey doubled her home two batters later. Morrison then knocked Lassey home with a single through the left side putting Owens up 2-0.
Graham then retired Lakeland 1-2-3 in the first and second. Britt led off the top half of the third with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on an RBI single by Lassey.
Up 3-0, the Express added five runs in the fourth thanks to back-to-back home runs by Britt and Barron. After the Express loaded the bases, but failed to score in two straight at bats, Britt took the first pitch she saw over the fence in left center for a grand slam. Barron followed with a solo shot to make it 8-0.
In the bottom half, Graham allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, but got two groundouts and a strikeout looking to end the Lakeland threat.
The speed of Scott got the Express an insurance run in the fifth. She was hit by a pitch with one out, stole second, stole third, and scored via error on the throw to third.
Graham then retired Lakeland 1-2-3 in the fifth to end the game. She moved to 9-1 with the win as she allowed three hits and zero walks while striking out three in her five innings.
Shull took the loss for Lakeland as she allowed 11 hits and eight runs in four innings. Shannon Schwed pitched the final inning for the Lakers.
Britt finished 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, a grand slam, three runs and four RBIs as she fell just a single shy of the cycle, while Lassey was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run and two RBIs. Scott added a 2-for-2, one run, three stolen base game.
WP: Graham (9-1), LP: Schull, Offensive Leader: Britt (3-3, 2B, 3B, GS, 3 R, 4 RBIs)
Notes
The Express moved to 34-4 overall and 8-0 in the OCCAC with the win. They clinched the OCCAC championship earlier this month - their 11th since 2000.
Their games on Friday against Mott CC and Saturday against Muskegon CC were canceled. The next action for Owens is Monday at home against Defiance College JV. It will be their final home games of the season.
The home runs for Britt and Barron were the first of their Owens career, while Hollister's home run is her fifth of the season - a team high.
Iacoangeli and Scott continue to be terrors on the basepaths as they have now combined for 84 stolen bases (54 for Iacoangeli and 30 for Scott). The single season record for steals is 72 by Kylie Zweifel in 2006. Meanwhile, those two are also leading the team in batting average (.538 for Iacoangeli and .492 for Scott) and hits (Scott has 58 and Iacoangeli has 57).
Iacoangeli has hit safely in 24 of the past 26 games, while Scott is currently on a 15-game hitting streak. In that period, Scott is hitting 30-for-42 (.714) with 14 stolen bases.
Lassey bumped her average up to .417 with her solid offensive day, while Hollister now has 42 RBIs - 12 short of tying Amanda Temple's single season record from 2009. Her five RBIs in today's first game is a season high.
Michalak's ERA rose to 1.17 with her five earned runs today. She had not given up more than two earned runs in any outing this year.
Barron's two-hit game today was her sixth multi-hit game of the season, while Britt's three runs and three hits were season-highs, although she has nine multi-hit games this year.
Ward Strikes Out 14 As Express Baseball Split Doubleheader At Lakeland
Chris Ward dominated on the mound, striking out 14, in an 8-2 win in game one, but the Express couldn't overcome a six run deficit in the second game as they split the first of two doubleheaders this weekend against Lakeland.
Game 1: Owens 8 Lakeland 2
Ward's complete game was the difference as the Express offense broke open a 3-2 game with five runs in the fifth inning.
The Express took a two run lead in the opening half of the first on Ryan Hotmer's two-out, two-run double after Justin Elder and Daniel Heatherly drew walks.
In the second, a delayed double steal by Nate Manis and Logan Shullick plated a third run as the Express led 3-0.
Ward then allowed two runs (one earned) in the bottom half of the second. Each team would then produce blanks until the big fifth inning for the Express.
Ryan Horvath had a two-run double, Heatherly had an RBI single through the right side, Trevor Ozenbaugh had an RBI triple to right center and Travis Tackett had a sacrifice fly to put the Express up 8-2.
Ward then shut down Lakeland the rest of the way to pick up the win. He allowed six hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks while striking out 14.
Meanwhile, Lakeland's starter John Gora picked up the loss after he allowed five hits, eight runs and six walks while striking out six in 4.1 innings. Colton Greathouse pitched a scoreless 2.2 innings in relief of Gora.
Horvath was 2-for-4 with one run and two RBIs, while Hotmer was 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Heatherly added a 1-for-3, two run, one walk, one RBI performance.
WP: Ward, LP: Gora, Offensive Leader: Horvath (2-4, R, 2 RBIs)
Game 2: Lakeland 6 Owens 4
The Lakers scored three times in the fourth and fifth innings off Express pitching to take a 6-0 lead.
In the sixth, the Express tried to rally. Hotmer had a two-run double, Ozenbaugh had an RBI groundout and Clayton Ruch scored on a wild pitch to pull the Express within 6-4. However, the inning ended when Michael Louis was thrown out at third attempting to pull off a double steal of second and third with Manis.
Jordan Basinger started and took the loss for the Express. He allowed five hits, three runs and two walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings. Jesse Castilleja relieved him and allowed three hits, three runs (one earned) and zero walks while striking out one in 1.1 innings. Dane Davis then pitched a perfect 1.1 innings with one strikeout.
Ruch was 2-for-4 with a run and stolen base, while Hotmer was 1-for-2 with a run, a double, two walks and two RBIs.
WP: Goldsberry, LP: Basinger, Offensive Leader: Hotmer (1-2, R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBIs)
Notes
The Express 17-32 (7-15 OCCAC) will close out their OCCAC and regular season schedule Saturday afternoon with another doubleheader against Lakeland CC.
Thursday, April 26
Offensive Explosion Highlights DH Sweep of Lorain County By No. 10 Express Softball
The Express had a lot of fun offensively today while racking up a doubleheader sweep of Lorain County Community College. Five players hit homers, two of which were inside the park, as the Express scored 29 runs in the two games.
Game 1: Owens 11 Lorain County 2 (5 Innings)
The Commodores scored two runs in the first inning off Express starter Kasey Graham, but that lead wouldn't last long.
Melanie Iacoangeli led off the bottom half of the first with a walk, stole second and scored on a wild pitch. Later, Aja Hall had a two-run double and Kenny Craig had an RBI groundout to put the Express up 4-2 through one.
After Graham retired Lorain County in order in the second, the Express added three more in the second. Tabitha Britt had an RBI single to start the scoring in the inning and an error by the left fielder led to two runs scoring on the play. Later, Katie Butler's sacrifice fly put Owens up 7-2.
Graham retired Lorain County in order once again in the third. The Express then added two more in the bottom half when Craig walked and later scored on a delayed steal, and Britt added another RBI single.
Lorain had one single in their fourth, while Owens was retired in order in the bottom half in their only scoreless inning.
After Lorain was held scoreless in the top of the fifth, the Express ended the game after only two at bats in the bottom half. Mareshah Scott singled and advanced to second on a throwing error before Hallie Thompson hit an inside the park, two-run homer to left center to end the game due to mercy rule.
Graham (8-1) picked up the win as she allowed four hits and two runs while striking out two in five innings of work, while Sarah Clark took the loss for Lorain.
Britt, Scott and Thompson each had two hits for the Express, while Britt and Thompson added two RBIs apiece. Britt and Scott scored two runs apiece, while Iacoangeli scored two runs on two walks with one stolen base.
WP: Graham (8-1), LP: Clark, Offensive Leader: Thompson (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 18 Lorain County 1 (5 Innings)
Amanda Sinay and Tayler Redinger each hit grand slams and produced five RBIs as the Express cruised to an 18-1 win.
The Express was the visiting team on the scoreboard in the second game despite the game being played on their home field.
Thus, after Sinay doubled and scored on a passed ball, Sydney Barron had an RBI groundout to put the Express up 2-0 through one half inning.
Express starter Lexi Sheets allowed a two-out single in the bottom half, but nothing more to set up an eight run second inning for her offense.
After Scott and Lassey had back-to-back singles, Michelle Hollister walked to load the bases. Sinay then hit an inside the park grand slam over the right fielder. Hannah Morrison and Redinger then each had RBI singles. Morrison later scored on a throwing error before a bases loaded walk by Sinay added the eighth and final run of the inning.
After a 1-2-3 second for Sheets, the Express added one more run in the third when Morrison hit an RBI double.
Then, in the fourth, Barron had an RBI double to make it 12-0. Later in the inning, following a walk by Hall and a single by Morrison to load the bases, Redinger hit a line drive over the left field fence for a grand slam - putting Owens up 16-0.
After Sheets allowed a two-out walk, but nothing else in the fourth, the Express got back-to-back home runs from Allison Hausch and April DeCant in the fifth to make it 18-0.
Sheets allowed a two-out RBI single in the bottom half, but it wasn't nearly enough as the game was over due to mercy once again.
With the win, Sheets moved to 9-2. She allowed three hits and four walks while striking out six in her five innings. Lauren Mims took the loss for Lorain County.
Sinay finished 4-for-4 with a double, a walk, a grand slam, two runs and five RBIs, while Redinger was 3-for-4 with a double, a grand slam, two runs and five RBIs. Other top performers included: Barron (2-for-5, three runs, two RBIs, 2B, 3B), Morrison (3-for-4, two runs, two RBIs, 2B), and Hall (2-for-4 with a run, a double and a walk).
WP: Sheets (9-2), LP: Mims, Offensive Leader: Sinay (4-4, 2B, BB, 2 R, GS, 5 RBIs)
Notes
The Express (32-4) will take on Lakeland Community College Thursday on the road to close out their conference season. Their home doubleheaders against Mott CC on Friday and Muskegon CC on Saturday were both canceled.
The home run for Hausch came in only her third at bat of the season. She walked and struck out in her other two at bats. Also, Hausch played first base in the second game, which was the first time she had done that in her two-year Owens career.
DeCant's home run was her first of the year, as well. With her big game, Sinay raised her average to .480.
Iacoangeli is on the verge of cracking the half century mark in stolen bases after she stole her 49th base of the season in the first game. She is leading the team with a .545 average. Four players (Hollister, Britt, Butler and Barron) have 20 or more RBIs following today's doubleheader.
#7 Sinclair Baseball Takes Two Over #16 Vincennes
The Pride sophomores wanted their final home games of the season to end on a high note and it did. In game one, Freshmen Craig Koehler made his 3rd start of the season. Control issues and sloppy defense gave the Blazers three runs in the first off Koehler, and all of those runs came on one hit. That would be an important stat because for the rest of the game, that number stayed at one. Koehler settled down and started throwing up zeros on the scoreboard, giving his team a chance to come back. Offensively, the Tartan hitters couldn't get anything going in the first four innings. Finally in the 5th, Joe Ford put the Pride on the board with an RBI single to left scoring Mike Maddle. Sinclair also scored a run in the 6th off the bat of Darwin Argumedo, who hit his first career homerun to left. Koehler finished his day after six very good innings and Ryan Carter pitched a scoreless 7th as the Pride still trailed 3-2. With one out, Mike Maddle got things started after being hit on the foot. Corey Johnson entered the game as a pinch runner and was on the move as Joe Ford laced a ball into the right centerfield gap. Ford slid into third for the triple and Johnson scored, tying the game at three. After an intentional walk to Austin Downing, the Blazer pitcher never got back into the grove as he walked Kyle Vander Ark and Daniel Holtzman to end the game.
Final Score: #7 Sinclair 4 Vincennes 3
WP: Ryan Carter (1-1) IP BB
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 RS 3B 2RBI's, Drew Williams 1-2 2B, Darwin Argumedo 1-2 BB HR (1).
In his last performance at Vincennes, starter TJ Teets did not have a good day. The freshmen struggled and gave up a season high nine hits in the loss and didn't finish the 3rd inning. Wednesday was a new day, a new opportunity, and Teets turned it around. Teets controlled the entire game and went six strong innings without allowed a single run. While Teets was doing his thing on the mound, the offense put up some runs in the middle innings of the game and had multiple hit games from four players. Two year starters Joe Ford and Kyle Vander Ark made sure that they would win their last game at Grady's fields with very good performances at the plate.
Final Score: #7 Sinclair 7 #16 Vincennes 0
WP: TJ Teets (3-2)
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 RS 2RBI's, Kyle Vander Ark 2-3 RS BB RBI, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 RS 2B, Matt Sullivan 2-2 RS SAC 2B 2RBI's.
With the wins, the Pride improve to 38-12 on the season. This weekend the Pride will travel to Cleveland to take on Cuyahoga Community College in the final conference series of the season.
Wednesday, April 25
Owens Pitcher Ashlyn Michalak Named OCCAC Softball "Player of the Week"
Owens pitcher who has dominated conference play this year Ashlyn Michalak has been named OCCAC Softball Player of the Week for the week ending April 23, 2012.
During the week, Ashlyn pitched against conference rivals Lakeland and Cuyahoga and pitched a total of 14 scoreless innings to clinch the conference championship for the Express.
For the year, Ashlyn is also setting records, she is currently 14-0 including 3-0 in OCCAC conference play. She has 144 strike outs in 100.2 innings and has an incredible .000 ERA in the Conference. Ashlyn also pitched a no hitter against Lakeland.
Congratulations to Ashlyn and the Express on a historic regular season and good luck in post season play.
Sinclair Baseball Players Ford and Kruzel Awarded OCCAC Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week
Sinclair once again has players named for OCCAC Player and Pitcher of the Week for the week ending on April 23, 2012. Joe Ford of Grove City, Ohio and shortstop of the Tartan Pride helped Sinclair clinch the overall OCCAC Championship with 3 wins during the week against conference rival Lakeland.
During the week, Joe was 5 for 11 and scored three runs. Coach Stephen Dintamin was quoted as saying "Joe played perfect defense all weekend with 15 assist and 5 putouts at shortstop."
Also earning an award was the Tartan Pride left handed pitcher Matt Kruzel who came in relief during two close games and pitched four shutout innings to allow Sinclair to clinch the conference championship again Lakeland. Coach Dintamin said "Matt came into the conference clinching game and ended the Lakeland threat in the 6th. On Saturday, he came in relief and tossed three more scoreless innings to earn the win. Matt's pitching in clutch games has allowed us to pull out victories and win big ball games."
Congratulations to both Joe and Matt for their efforts during the year and continued success to the Tartan Pride in post season play.
No. 8 Express Softball Sweep GRCC, Reach 30 Win Plateau On The Season
The No. 8 Express softball team swept Grand Rapids Community College 6-1 and 9-3 on Tuesday. Ashlyn Michalak struck out 13 while winning the first game, while Hallie Thompson and Mareshah Scott had solid days offensively.
Game 1: Owens 6 Grand Rapids 1
Michalak carried a shutout into the seventh inning, while the Express offense did their part in a 6-1 win.
The pivotal inning came in the fourth when the Express scored four runs - thanks in part to a dropped fly ball by Grand Rapids.
With two outs and nobody on, Alyssa Lassey doubled to left field prior to Olivia Reeder reaching on the dropped fly. On the play, Lassey scored to put the Express up 1-0, while Reeder moved to second. Following that, Scott walked to set up a two-run triple to centerfield by Thompson, who also scored on the play thanks to another error by GRCC.
Owens then scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to pad their lead. In the sixth, Thompson lined an RBI single to left field that scored Scott, who had singled and stole second with two outs. Then, in the seventh, Katie Butler lined an RBI single through the left side that scored Melanie Iacoangeli, who had singled to lead off the inning.
In the last half of the seventh, GRCC's Chelsea Hutchison had a two-out RBI single that spoiled Michalak's shutout.
Michalak (15-1) allowed four hits and four walks while striking out 13. Thompson finished 2-for-3 with one run, one triple and three RBIs, while Iacoangeli was 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. Scott added a 1-for-2, two run, one walk, one stolen base game.
Kayla Goodwin took the loss for GRCC. She allowed eight hits, six runs (three earned) and two walks while striking out one over seven innings. The win marked the end of a six game winning streak for Grand Rapids.
WP: Michalak (15-1), LP: Goodwin, Offensive Leader: Thompson (2-3, 3B, R, 3 RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 9 Grand Rapids 3
The Express offense pounded out 13 hits and scored three runs in an inning twice while Kasey Graham picked up her seventh win of the season in a 9-3 win.
The Express jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first on a bases loaded wild pitch and a two-run error. In the inning, Jaylee Glad had a single, while Lassey and Sydney Barron were hit by a pitch.
In the second, Michelle Hollister laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Scott, who had walked and stole second to lead off the inning.
GRCC cut the Express lead to 4-1 in the third with a solo home run off Graham.
However, the Express answered right back in the next half inning with three runs to secure a 7-1 lead. Iacoangeli had an RBI groundout, Katlyn Whitmarsh drew a bases loaded walk and Barron had an RBI single.
GRCC then scored two in the bottom half of the fourth to cut the lead to four at 7-3 before Owens closed the scoring for the day with two runs in the fifth.
Scott and Kenny Craig had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Thompson singled through the right side to score Craig. Scott later scored on a throwing error by GRCC's rightfielder to make it 9-3.
Michalak pitched the first inning in the second game and held GRCC scoreless. Graham (7-1) pitched the final six innings to earn the win. She allowed 11 hits, three runs and zero walks while striking out two.
Scott finished 2-for-3 with three runs, one walk and one stolen base, while Thompson was 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Iacoangeli added a 1-for-4, one RBI, one stolen base game.
Casey Cherry took the loss for Grand Rapids.
WP: Graham (7-1), LP: Cherry, Offensive Leader: Scott (2-3, 3 R, BB, SB)
Notes
The Express are now 30-4 this year. They will take on Lorain County Community College at home Wednesday. The DH will be unusual in that Owens will be the home team for one game, while Lorain County will be the home team for the other game.
Grand Rapids falls to 24-15 this year.
Michalak's ERA remains at 0.91 with her eight innings of one run ball today. She has now struck out 166 batters, which is 58 short of tying the single season record held by Kelli Short.
Scott raised her average to .467 with her performance today, while Thompson is up to .355.
Iacoangeli has now stolen 48 bases this year, while Scott has 25.
Tuesday, April 24
Down 5, No. 8 Express Softball Rally For 12 Runs in Wild Seventh Inning To Split With Jackson
A miraculous seventh inning rally helped the No. 8 Express softball team salvage a doubleheader split on the road against Jackson Community College after Ashlyn Michalak dropped her first decision of the season in the first game.
Game 1: Jackson 3 Owens 1
Aside from Melanie Iacoangeli, the Express offense was dormant in a 3-1 loss.
The Express took a 1-0 lead in the third when Iacoangeli singled with two outs, stole second and scored on a single from Tabitha Britt.
In the fourth, however, Jackson got a two-out, two run single off the glove of Katie Butler at first base to take a 2-1 lead. Then, in the sixth, they added an insurance run when a two-out error allowed a run to score.
Owens had a chance to tie it in the seventh. Iacoangeli and Mareshah Scott reached second and third with two outs, but Britt fouled out to first base to end the game.
Sarah Wilson pitched a complete game to get the win. She allowed seven hits, one run and zero walks while striking out four in seven innings. Meanwhile, Michalak (14-1) suffered her first defeat of the season as she allowed 10 hits, three runs (two earned) and two walks while striking out five over six innings. All of her hits allowed were singles.
Iacoangeli finished 3-for-4 with a run and three stolen bases, while Alyssa Lassey, Olivia Reeder and Scott each picked up one hit apiece.
WP: Wilson, LP: Michalak (14-1), Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (3-3, R, 3 SB)
Game 2: Owens 13 Jackson 6
Entering the seventh inning, the Express offense had only two hits and had committed two base running mistakes. Defensively, they had committed five errors. Those things added up to a 6-1 deficit. Then, everything changed.
Sixteen batters later, the Express had racked up 12 runs, 11 hits and benefitted from one crucial error by Jackson's left fielder as they took a 13-6 lead.
The Jets took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first off Express starter Kasey Graham with a two-out, two-run single by Kylie Bergstrom. Owens answered back in the third when Hannah Morrison's bases loaded RBI groundout scored Lassey.
However, the Jets upped their lead to three in the bottom half when a ground ball went under Lassey's glove at short with two outs – allowing two runs to score. In the fifth, another unearned run for Jackson came across when Graham made an errant throw to first with two outs.
Jackson would add one in the sixth on a two-out RBI single before the madness started.
Kenny Craig got things started as she was hit by a pitch on the first at bat of the seventh. Scott followed with a single to second base before a two-run double from Lassey made it 6-3 with nobody out. A wild pitch and a groundout by Michelle Hollister made it 6-4 with one out and nobody on.
Iacoangeli then singled to second base, stole second and third and scored on an RBI groundout by Britt to make it 6-5. The bases were empty though and two were out.
That's when Hallie Thompson kept the rally going with an opposite field single down the left field line. On the very next pitch, Butler lined a run scoring double to deep right center to tie the game at six. April Decant then hit a high pop up to left field that Jackson's left fielder couldn't catch. It allowed Butler to score and give the Express a 7-6 lead.
That play was followed by an RBI single from Craig, a single by Scott, another RBI double by Lassey, a two-run single by Hollister, an RBI single by Iacoangeli and an RBI single by Britt. Thompson then struck out to end the Express half of the seventh, but the damage had been done.
Four players (Craig, Scott, Lassey and Iacoangeli) scored two runs in the inning, while three players (Lassey, Scott and Iacoangeli) had two hits each in the inning. At one point in the inning, the Express had eight hits in nine at bats and six in a row.
Michalak relieved Graham in the bottom half. After striking out the first batter looking, she struck out the next two batters swinging to end the game. Graham (6-1) picked up the win as she allowed 10 hits, six runs (three earned) and one walk while striking out three in six innings.
Iacoangeli once again led the Express in hits with a 3-for-5, two run, one RBI and four stolen base game. Lassey finished 2-for-3 with three runs, three RBIs and a stolen base, while Hollister was 1-for-4 with a run and three RBIs. Craig, who had two huge at bats in the seventh, finished 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI off the bench. Scott also had two hits and finished 2-for-4 with two runs.
WP: Graham (6-1), LP: Miller, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (3-5, 2 R, RBI, 4 SB)
Notes
The Express (28-4) will now take on Grand Rapids Community College Tuesday beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids, MI. The Raiders defeated the Express once earlier this season.
With her two earned runs today, Michalak's season ERA rose to 0.91…Iacoangeli raised her team-best batting average to .560, while Craig is now hitting .545 in 11 at bats this year…Hollister raised her team-best RBI total to 36, while Iacoangeli upped her team-high stolen base total to 46.
Ruch Breaks Program's Save Record As Express Sweep Ashland University JV In Home Finale
The Express got two solid outings from Sean Koerber and Alex Juday, while Clayton Ruch broke the school record for saves in a doubleheader sweep of Ashland University's JV team.
It was the final home doubleheader of the season for the Express.
Game 1: Owens 9 Ashland University JV 2
A six run sixth inning broke open a close game as the Express won the first game.
Koerber, who picked up the win, kept the game close as he pitched the first 5.2 innings and allowed seven hits, two runs and one walk while striking out four.
In the second, Ashland took a 1-0 lead, but Trevor Ozenbaugh's two-run double in the bottom half gave the Express their first lead.
In the fourth, Austin Legate's RBI groundout made it 3-1. After Ashland had two runners reach in the sixth, Dane Davis relieved Koerber. He allowed one inherited runner to score - cutting the Express lead back to one.
However, the Express had four hits, while Ashland committed five errors, in the bottom half to break the game open.
After Ruch reached on a throwing error, James Moore Jr. singled up the middle. An RBI double by Legate made it 4-2. Nate Manis then had an RBI groundout before four more runs scored via error or a passed ball.
Ruch pitched the seventh. He allowed a leadoff walk, but got a fly out and a double play to end the game.
Moore was 2-for-3 with a run, while Legate was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and Ozenbaugh was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Ruch scored two runs in four at bats.
WP: Koerber, LP: Lovik, Offensive Leader: Legate (1-2, 2 RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 3 Ashland University JV 0
Juday dominated, the Express offense got all three runs in the sixth and Ruch closed it out to pick up his school record seventh save.
After both teams combined for four hits through the first five and a half innings, the Express got three hits in the sixth to win it.
Travis Tackett led off with a perfect bunt single down the third base line. After Michael Louis pinch ran for him, Manis attempted to bunt him over, but the catcher decided to throw to second and was wild - putting runners on first and third. Following a steal by Manis, Ryan Horvath lined a two-run single to left center that put Owens up 2-0.
After Horvath advanced to third on a wild pitch, Ryan Hotmer laced an RBI single to center to make it 3-0.
Ruch then relieved Juday retired Ashland in order in the seventh to pick up his record save. He broke the previous record held by Dino Cowell in the 2001 season.
Juday's final line included six innings, two hits, four walks and five strikeouts. Zach Wolfe took the complete game loss for Ashland after allowing five hits, three runs (one earned) and zero walks while striking out three over six innings.
Tackett finished 2-for-2, while Horvath was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs. Hotmer and Daniel Heatherly each picked up one hit apiece, while Hotmer had an RBI. Manis, Horvath and Louis picked up one steal apiece.
WP: Juday, LP: Wolfe, Offensive Leader: Horvath (1-3, R, 2 RBIs)
Notes
The Express (16-31) will close out their regular season with a four-game series against Lakeland Community College in Mentor, OH this Friday and Saturday.
BCSN aired the first game live. It will be re-aired April 25 at 11:30 a.m. and April 26 at 8 p.m.
Sickler Signs To Play Baseball at University of Findlay
Sophomore infielder Joe Sickler has signed to play baseball next season at the University of Findlay in Findlay, OH.
The sophomore infielder was named First Team All-OCCAC, First Team All-Region XII, and the team's Co-Offensive MVP last season after hitting .377 with three home runs, 18 runs and 20 RBIs. He had an OBP of .459 and slugged .596 while stealing 12 bases without being caught.
His sophomore year has been cut short due to injury, and he hasn't played since March 31. The team is hoping to have him back in time for the postseason.
Sickler is a graduate of Bowling Green HS in Bowling Green, OH, where he was named First Team All-Northern Lakes League, team MVP and First Team All-County his senior year.
The Oilers compete at the NCAA D-II level and are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). They are coached by Troy Berry.
The Express, coached by Del Young, will close out their home schedule today with a 3 p.m. doubleheader vs Ashland University's JV team. The first game will be broadcasted live in BCSN.
Egbert Signs With UNOH, Forms Trio Of Former Express Players
Brittany Egbert, one of the most decorated players in Express volleyball history, will join her Express teammates (Ellie Comes and Emily Crowell) and play for the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) next year.
Egbert was twice selected for the following honors in her two-year career with the Express: First Team All-OCCAC, First Team All-Region XII, All-Region XII Tournament Team, OCCAC Player of the Year, and NJCAA D-II Second Team All-American. Additionally, she was named the Region XII Tournament MVP her freshman year.
She is only the second two-time All-American in women's volleyball (Stephanie Champine, 2006-07) at Owens, and she is the first two-time Second Team All-American.
In her two-year career, Egbert helped lead the Express to an 87-14 overall record - including a 23-1 OCCAC record. The team won two OCCAC titles and captured one Region XII title and one Region XII runner-up finish during her career. This past season, the Express had the highest winning percentage in program history (45-5, .900), which included tying the mark for most wins and setting a record for fewest losses in a season.
This past season, Egbert accumulated 496 kills, 39 assists, 39 aces, 250 digs and 140 blocks this past year. During her two year career, Egbert totaled 1,016 kills, 53 assists, 120 aces, 531 digs and 301 blocks.
She ranks second in program history with 1,016 career kills, has the highest kill/dig combination (1016/531) and kill/block combination (1016/301), holds the school records for hitting efficiency in both a season (.365) and career (.334) and is in the top ten in single season aces, career aces, and career blocks. Additionally, she owns the third and fourth highest single season kill totals.
Egbert is a graduate of Hopewell-Loudon HS in Fostoria, OH where she was named First Team All-MAL, First Team All-District, First Team All-Ohio, and MAL Player of the Year her senior year.
UNOH is a member of the NAIA. They play in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) and the team finished 25-15 this past season, which included a loss in the WHAC Tournament Championship game.
Monday, April 23
Columbus State Alstadt and Owens Gessner Week's One and Two OCCAC Golf Player of the Week
Columbus State's Ash Alstadt has been named as week one OCCAC Golf "Player of the Week". During the first week of OCCAC tournament action, Ash went to the Cincinnati State Tournament held at Brown's Run Country Club and shot an incredible 4 under par 68. He followed that with an even par 72 at the OCCAC South Tournament held at Weatherwax Golf Course. Ash leads all other league players for the player of the year by 12 shots after the first two events.
Owens's Darren Gessner has been named week two OCCAC Golf "Player of the Week" following the Columbus State Invitational. Darren led all players with a 77 in tough conditions including 30 mph winds and a course playing over 7200 yards. Gessner was only one of two players shooting in the 70's in the entire field. Owens also won the event by 10 shots over league leaders Columbus State.
Ash Alstadt leads Gessner for player of the year honors by 13 shots as we head into week three action with events at Lorain and Lakeland.
Congratulations to both players for this accomplishment.
Sinclair Dominating OCCAC Baseball Player of the Week Awards
The Sinclair Tartan Pride baseball team has not only clinched the OCCAC league title for 2012 but they are also dominating the Awards for OCCAC Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week of late.
Last weeks winners were both from Sinclair and included player Joe Ford of Sinclair and also pitcher Ian Creager of the Tartan Pride.
Joe Ford is out of Grove City High School in Grove City, Ohio. He has started all 44 games for Sinclair at this point. During the week, Joe helped the Tartan Pride go 4-0 over Owens and batted .412 for the week with two doubles and three RBI's.
Pitcher Ian Creager is a right handed pitcher out of Northmont High School in Englewood, Ohio. During the week, Ian pitched a complete game only allowing three hits in a 13-0 shutout of rival Owens Community College. He also fanned 11 batters in the win.
Congratulations to both Joe and Ian for the awards and also to the Tartan Pride for the domination in Baseball in 2012.
Here is a list of the previous weeks OCCAC Baseball Player and Pitchers of the Week:
April 10-16, 2012
Player - Joe Ford, Sinclair Community College
Pitcher - Ian Creager, Sinclair Community College
April 3-9, 2012
Darwin Augumendo, Sinclair Community College
Pitcher - Corey Johnson, Sinclair Community College
March 26-April 2, 2012
Player - Darwin Augumendo, Sinclair Community College
Pitcher - Jordan Basinger, Owens Community College
March 19-25, 2012
Player - Austin Downing, Sinclair Community College
Pitcher - Corey Johnson, Sinclair Community College
Sunday, April 22
Saturday Sweep for Sinclair Baseball Over Lakeland
Sinclair began a new streak Saturday, after their thirteen game winning streak was snapped in game two on Friday. The Pride offense scored seven of their eight runs in the 3rd and 4th innings and Corey Johnson continued his dominance over Laker hitters. Johnson has only allowed two hits in fourteen innings of work against Lakeland this season.
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 8 Lakeland 1
WP: Corey Johnson (4-3) 7IP 2H ER 4K's
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 RS RBI, Austin Downing 1-3 2RS BB, Kyle Vander Ark 2-3 3RBI's, Matt Sullivan 1-3 RBI, Darwin Argumedo 1-2 2B BB RBI, Paul Wilson 2-3 3RS BB 2SB 2B.
The Pride never led the series finale in the first seven innings of play. The first run for Sinclair came in the 3rd inning, off the bat of Dan Lawrence who singled to right. Trailing 3-1, the Tartan offense had numerous opportunities with runners in scoring position but failed to get a big hit in the first five innings of the game. With two on and two out in the 6th, Jon Lowe laced a double in the left centerfield gap that scored two, tying the game at 3. Sinclair's bullpen was stellar once again as Ryan Carter threw three scoreless innings while striking out six and Matt Kruzel also held Lakeland scoreless in his three innings of work. In the bottom of the 8th, Mike Maddle singled up the middle with one out. Matt Sullivan then hit a groundball to the shortstop that became a fielder’s choice as he beat the throw to first base. With two outs and Darwin Argumedo up, things got crazy. A wild pitch allowed Sullivan to move to second and as the ball went to the backstop, he surprised the catcher by attempting to take third as well. Sliding into 3rd, the ball skipped past the third basemen and into the outfield. While on the ground, the third basemen stayed on top of Sullivan and did not allow him to get up and run home. The home plate umpire made the call and Sullivan was awarded home plate, ending the game.
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 4 Lakeland 3 (8 Innings)
WP: Matt Kruzel 3IP H 3K's
Offensive Leaders: Jon Lowe 2-3 RS 2B 2 RBI's, Mike Maddle 2-2 RS BB.
Sinclair will take on Vincennes University on Wednesday, April 25th in the last home game of the season. Sinclair will enter the game with a 36-12 overall record and 17-3 record in the conference.
Michalak and Scott Shine As No. 8 Express Softball Split With No. 16 Mercyhurst North East
Ashlyn Michalak threw another gem in an 8-0 shutout win for the No. 8 Express in the first game against No. 16 Mercyhurst North East, but the Saints responded with a 6-4 win in the second game.
Game 1: No. 8 Owens 8 No. 16 Mercyhurst North East 0 (6 innings)
Michalak threw her second complete game against Mercyhurst North East in the span of a week, and the Express scored six times in the sixth inning to close out what was a close game up to that point.
The Express took an early 1-0 lead in the first when Katie Butler lined a two-out RBI single to right center that scored Sydney Barron, who had reached second one batter prior on a throwing error.
In the fourth, Mercyhurst got a leadoff double from Kayleigh Milliman. After a groundout moved her up, Michalak struck out the next batter. Then, following a walk, Michalak snagged a liner back at her for the third out. The ball initially popped out of her glove, but she stayed with it to complete the catch.
Mercyhurst then stranded the bases loaded in the fifth against Michalak. The leadoff batter reached on an error by right fielder Melanie Iacoangeli. Michalak then got a grounder back to her in the circle, but no one covered first and it turned into a single. Following a sacrifice bunt, Butler picked up a grounder at first and threw home to get the second out. After another walk, Alex Puckly grounded out to third to keep the Express up 1-0.
The Express then added a single run in the bottom half. After Mareshah Scott had singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice, Michelle Hollister singled. On the play, a bad throw to first allowed Scott to score and make it 2-0.
Then, in the sixth, the Express racked up six runs on seven hits. It started when Olivia Reeder lined a two-run double to left field that made it 4-0. After Scott singled and stole second, Hallie Thompson's two-run triple made it 6-0. An opposite field RBI single from Hollister then made it 7-0 before Tabitha Britt singled to center. An error on the throw home allowed Hollister to score and end the game.
Scott was a terror at the plate for Mercyhurst's defense as she finished 3-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases. Butler continued her recent hitting tear by going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Reeder finished 1-for-2 with a run and two RBIs and Thompson was 1-for-2 with a run and two RBIs.
Michalak moved to 14-0 with the win. She allowed four hits and four walks while striking out seven. She lowered her ERA and WHIP to 0.83, and she has now struck out 144. Additionally, Michalak has now thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings.
Alex Puckly took the complete game loss for Mercyhurst. She allowed 11 hits, eight runs (six earned) and zero walks while striking out none in 5.2 innings.
WP: Michalak (14-0), LP: Puckly, Offensive Leader: Scott (3-3, 2 R, 2 SB)
Game 2: No. 16 Mercyhurst North East 6 No. 8 Owens 4
Mercyhurst scored five times in the first inning to seize control. The Express bounced back and trailed 5-4 late, but five stranded runners in the fifth and sixth innings gave the momentum back to Mercyhurst as they scored one in the seventh and walked away with a series split.
Lexi Sheets couldn't escape the first inning against the Mercyhurst offense. After two walks, two singles and a double, Kasey Graham relieved Sheets with the Express down 3-0 and runners on second and third. After giving up a two-run single to right, Graham got a flyout, a single and a fielder's choice groundout to end the inning.
Owens started to rally in the second. Butler doubled to right center leading off the inning before Alyssa Lassey singled on a bunt. Lassey was then caught stealing, but Butler came home on the throw to second to make it 5-1. After Reeder lined out, Scott singled through the left side and Thompson lined a double to left center to score Scott and make it 5-2.
In the third, the Express added another run when Barron's sacrifice fly scored Iacoangeli, who had singled, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. The fifth inning saw a bases loaded walk by Aja Hall, but the Express stranded the bases loaded as Reeder lined out to third base.
In the sixth, the Express stranded runners on second and third when Britt lined out to short.
Graham had really settled into a groove on the mound allowing the Express to almost pull off the comeback. She faced just two over the minimum from the second through the sixth innings.
In the third, Hollister made an outstanding play in center to start an inning ending double play for Graham. With a runner on first, Allison Litz hit a pop fly to center that caught the wind. From second base, Hollister made a sliding catch and threw to first to double up the runner.
Mercyhurst would add an insurance run to make it 6-4 in the seventh. Butler singled with one out in the bottom half, but that's all they would get.
Sheets took the loss for the Express and fell to 8-2 this year, while Tyler Honard picked up the win for Mercyhurst. She allowed nine hits, four runs and three walks in 5.2 innings pitched. Puckly picked up the save as she relieved Puckly for the final batter (Britt) in the sixth.
Scott once again torched the Mercyhurst pitching staff. She finished 3-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. Butler finished 2-for-3 with a run and an intentional walk, and Thompson was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
WP: Honard, LP: Sheets (8-2), Offensive Leader: Scott (3-3, R, SB)
Notes
The No. 8 Express are now 27-3 overall. They will take on Jackson Community College on the road Monday beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Express defeated the Jets 6-1 and 4-2 on April 2.
The loss for Owens snaps an 11 game winning streak. Additionally, the five first inning runs in game two snapped a 36 inning scoreless streak for the Express pitching staff.
Scott combined to go 6-for-6 with three runs and three stolen bases in the doubleheader, while Butler was 4-for-6 with a run and an RBI. Scott is now second on the team in batting average behind Iacoangeli with a .463 average, while Butler improved her average to .341.
Saturday, April 21
4-PEAT! Sinclair Wins 4th Straight OCCAC Title
Heading into the weekend, the Pride knew that all they needed was one win over Lakeland, to claim their 4th straight conference championship. With four games to play at home, nobody wanted to wait for game two. Sinclair got on the board first with a two out, three run homerun off the bat of Drew Williams. The Lakers battled back and put up four runs of their own in the 3rd inning off starter Jon Thacker.
Trailing by one run in the 4th, Matt Sullivan lead things off with a single to left. After a Paul Wilson sacrifice bunt, Jon Lowe walked to move the tying run to second. Blake Hall laced a hit and run to left center tying the game at four. Joe Ford walked and Austin Downing singled up the middle scoring two runs. Those runs would be enough for Jon Thacker who battled through five plus innings of work.
Matt Kruzel entered the game in the 6th with two out and ended a Laker threat. In the 7th, and trailing by four runs, the Lakers led the inning off with a single off Kruzel. A flyball out to right set up the next play, a 4-6-3 double to end the game. The celebration was on as the Sinclair players dogpiled near the mound.
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 8 Lakeland 4
WP: Jon Thacker (6-0) 5.2IP 9H 4ER 4K’s
SV: Matt Kruzel (3) 1.1IP H
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-3 RS 2B, Austin Downing 1-2 SAC 3 RBI’s, Drew Williams 1-3 RS HR 3RBI’s, Matt Sullivan 2-3 RS, Jon Lowe 1-2 2RS BB, Blake Hall 1-2 SAC RBI.
After the dogpile, Sinclair didn’t have much to celebrate in game two. Laker starter John Gora held the Tartan batters down and only allowed two hits in a complete game shutout performance. Lakeland put up a run in the 2nd and four in the 3rd and that was all the scoring needed.
Final Score: Lakeland 5 #11 Sinclair 0
LP: Ian Creager (5-2) 4IP 9H 5ER
Offensive Leaders: Dan Lawrence 1-3, Darwin Argumedo 1-3 2B.
First game today has been pushed back to 1pm due to rain in the morning forecast. Corey Johnson will be starting game one and Brock Trimbur will be starting game two.
Michalak Tosses A No-Hitter, Express Softball Clinch Outright OCCAC Championship
Ashlyn Michalak threw a no-hitter in an 8-0 win, while Lexi Sheets and Kasey Graham combined to shutout Lakeland 10-0 in the second game. With the two wins, the Express pitching staff extended their scoreless streak to 30 innings and the team clinched the outright OCCAC championship.
Game 1: Owens 8 Lakeland 0 (5 innings)
While Michalak was shutting down Lakeland's offense, the Express offense scored five runs in the fifth inning to close out an 8-0 win.
The only runners to reach against Michalak came on two errors and a walk. She also struck out three while lowering her season ERA to 0.89 and pushing her record to 13-0.
The Express jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning. With runners on first and second, Michelle Hollister lined an RBI double to left to open the scoring. Following that, Melanie Iacoangeli hit a sacrifice fly to the second baseman to make it 2-0. On the play, Lakeland's second baseman had to make a diving catch, and Hallie Thompson took advantage and scored from third. Sydney Barron then lined a two-out single to center that scored Hollister and made it 3-0.
After allowing only one baserunner in the first three innings (on an error in the first), Michalak allowed a one out walk in the fourth. However, the Express turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Then, after stranding Iacoangeli at third to end the fourth, Michalak had the leadoff runner reach on a throwing error in the fifth. The Express then turned another double play, though, as Thompson fielded the ball at short, threw to Hollister at second, who completed the double play with a throw to Katie Butler at first.
Owens used that momentum to score five in the bottom half and close out the game. After Butler led off the inning by reaching via error, Amanda Sinay pinch ran for her. After a hit by pitch to Jaylee Glad, Olivia Reeder attempted to advance the runners, but Sinay was thrown out at third for the first out.
Mareshah Scott then scored Glad on an RBI single before a wild play scored two more. Hollister grounded a ball to Lakeland's shortstop, Steph Ziegler, who threw to second for a force out. However, the throw to first was wild - allowing two runs to score while Hollister advanced all the way to third.
Iacoangeli followed with an RBI single to score Hollister. She then stole second before Tabitha Britt tripled to center field to score her and finish the game.
Iacoangeli finished 2-for-2 with a run, a walk, three stolen bases and two RBIs, while Scott (2-for-3, two runs, one RBI) also had two hits. Britt, Barron, Glad, Thompson and Hollister each added one hit apiece.
Kara Fitzgerald took the loss for Lakeland. She allowed nine hits, eight runs, four walks and didn't strike out a batter in 4.2 innings. Michalak faced the minimum in her five innings.
WP: Michalak (13-0), LP: Fitzgerald, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (2-2, R, BB, 2 RBIs, 3 SB)
Game 2: Owens 10 Lakeland 0
The Express used five hits and two Lakeland errors to score seven first inning runs while coasting to a 10-0 win in the second game.
Sheets, who started for the Express, stranded a one out walk in the top of the first. The Express then went to work.
Iacoangeli singled, stole second and third, and scored on a grounder by Britt, who reached via an error on the play. Barron then reached on a fielder's choice as Lakeland couldn't get Britt out in time at second. Butler then sacrificed the runners to second and third before Aja Hall knocked Britt in with a sacrifice fly. Hall reached on the play when Lakeland's centerfielder dropped the ball.
Following that, the Express scored runs on a passed ball, an RBI single by Scott, an RBI double by Thompson, an RBI double by Hollister, and a wild pitch.
Lakeland then got their first hit of the game to lead off the second - a single to center. However, Sheets retired the next three batters in order.
Owens added single runs in the second, third and fourth. In the second, Barron singled to center, advanced to second on a wild pitch, was sacrificed to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Aja Hall.
In the third, Scott singled, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hollister. Then, in the fourth, Alyssa Lassey hit a bases loaded single to score Hall, who had singled and stole second with one out.
Graham relieved Sheets to begin the fourth and retired all six batters she faced. Two came on strikeouts. Sheets moved to 8-1 with the win as she allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one in her three innings.
Iacoangeli (3-for-3, one run, three stolen bases) and Scott (3-for-3, two runs, one RBI and two stolen bases) led the Express offensive attack, which included 13 total hits.
Other key offensive performances from Owens included: Hollister (1-for-1, one run, a double and two RBIs) and Hall (1-for-1, two runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases).
Shannon Schwed took the loss for Lakeland. She allowed nine hits and nine runs in three innings while falling to 5-10 overall.
WP: Sheets (8-1), LP: Schwed, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (3-3, R, 3 SB)
Notes
The OCCAC championship is the 11th for the Express softball program. Last year, they shared the OCCAC title with Lakeland, so today was a nice measure of revenge against the Lakers.
Owens improved to 26-2 overall and 6-0 in the OCCAC, while Lakeland falls to 12-18 and 3-3 in the OCCAC.
Iacoangeli was 5-for-5 with two runs, two RBIs and six stolen bases on the day. She now has 38 stolen bases in 43 attempts this season and leads the team with a .566 batting average, as well.
Scott raised her batting average to .427, and she has now stolen 20 bases in 20 attempts. Hollister remains the team leader in RBIs with 32. As a team, the Express are now hitting .370 with 101 stolen bases in 109 attempts.
Owens will take on No. 16 Mercyhurst NE (33-8) beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
Friday, April 20
Ruch Knocks In Game Winning Run, Ties School Record For Saves As Express Baseball Defeat Jackson
Clayton Ruch lined a two-run double to left field in the eighth inning that broke an 8-all tie and then recorded his school record tying sixth save in the ninth as the Express defeated Jackson CC 10-8.
The win also snapped a six game losing streak for the Express.
Jackson led early as they scored five in the first two innings off Express starter Jeff Davis. The Express, though, would score one in the first, one in the second and two in the third to keep it close.
Daniel Heatherly's infield RBI single in the first scored Nate Manis, who had singled and stole second to lead off the inning. Manis then hit a sacrifice fly in the second to score Ruch, who had singled on a bunt to lead off the inning.
Down 5-2 entering the third, Justin Elder and Ryan Horvath led off with back-to-back singles. Elder would later score on a wild pitch, while Horvath scored on a grounder from Heatherly to make it 5-4.
Jackson then answered back with one in the fourth and two in the fifth to take an 8-4 lead, but the Express fought their way back once again.
In the fifth, Heatherly walked with one out and Ryan Hotmer moved him to third with a single. Ruch then lined a single to center to score Heatherly and make it 8-5.
The Express then scored twice in the seventh to pull within one at 8-7 when Austin Legate singled to right center scoring Hotmer and Heatherly. Hotmer had walked and Heatherly had reached on a fielder's choice.
In the eighth, Elder led off with a single to right center before Horvath sacrificed him to second. After a wild pitch and a walk to Heatherly, Elder scored on another wild pitch on the fourth ball from another walk by Hotmer. Then, with runners on first and third, Ruch laced a two-run double to deep left that scored Heatherly and Hotmer to put Owens up 10-8.
Ruch then relieved Heatherly on the mound to begin the ninth. He struck out the first two and got a grounder to first to end a 1-2-3 inning and pick up his sixth save, which ties Dino Cowell's record from the 2001 season.
Davis allowed five runs on four hits and one walk in his two innings. Aaron Peoples pitched the next three innings and allowed nine hits, three runs and zero walks while striking out one.
Jesse Castilleja, Heatherly and Ruch held Jackson scoreless over the next four innings. Castilleja allowed only two hits while striking out two in 2.2 innings, while Heatherly (1-0) picked up a one pitch, one out win. He had relieved Castilleja in the top half of the eighth with runners on first and third and two outs.
Ruch led the Express offense as he finished 3-for-5 with a run, a double, a stolen base and three RBIs. Elder was 2-for-5 with two runs, Horvath was 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base, and Legate was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Heatherly added a 1-for-3 game with three runs, two RBIs and two walks.
Macomb's leadoff hitter, Daniel Jones, finished 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, while Shawn Giroux was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, Zach Parran was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, David Laskowski was 3-for-3 with two runs and Dalton Reust was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Notes
With the win, the Express moved to 14-27 overall, while Jackson fell to 19-19.
Jackson's head coach, Rick Smith, coached Express head coach Del Young and Express assistant coach Scott Tesluck when those two played at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, MI.
The Express will now travel to Cleveland, OH to take on Cuyahoga Community College in a four game series on Friday and Saturday. They will play a doubleheader each day.
Thursday, April 19
Softball Returning to Sinclair - Seeking Head Coach
Sinclair Community College announces that Women’s Softball will return to the college as an intercollegiate sport for the 2012-2013 academic year.
According to Athletic Director, Jack Giambrone, “This is a landmark event for Sinclair to add a sport that serves female athletes and students in southwest Ohio. It has been many years since Sinclair has added a sport and softball fits in perfectly with the athletic department’s mission to foster student-athlete growth and development in the three C’s: Classroom, Community and Competition. Softball at Sinclair will fill a large collegiate void by providing athletic scholarships to athletes who choose to pursue their educational and athletic goals here at Sinclair prior to transferring to a four year institution.”
Softball was played at Sinclair from 1977-1991. For the first 13 of those seasons, the Head Coach was Norma Dycus, who later served as Director of Athletics. Now retired, Dycus has agreed to help re-launch softball at Sinclair. “I am truly excited to be part of the return of softball at Sinclair. The Dayton area and surrounding southwest Ohio communities in general need an avenue for their high school graduates to continue their softball athletic careers as they transition to college. We will be one of the few community colleges in all of Ohio to offer athletic scholarships for softball. This is a tremendous opportunity for area students as well as an excellent recruiting and enrollment tool for Sinclair.”
Sinclair is a member of the Ohio Community College Athletics Association (OCCAC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association. Softball is a sponsored conference sport of the OCCAC and would begin conference competition in the spring of 2013.
Sinclair is seeking a Head Coach for this new program, and the position is posted on the Sinclair website at https://jobs.sinclair.edu/.
Interested parties must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant head coaching experience. Other requirements and a position summary are available on the job posting site. Resumes will be reviewed on April 26, and interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter. Questions regarding this position should be directed to Norma Dycus: norma.dycus@sinclair.edu or the Athletic Office at 937-512-2860.
No. 8 Express Softball Sweeps Cuyahoga, Remains Undefeated In OCCAC
The Express pitching staff has now kept their opponents scoreless for 20 consecutive innings following two shutout wins over OCCAC foe Cuyahoga Community College today.
Game 1: No. 8 Owens 3 Cuyahoga 0
Ashlyn Michalak scattered four hits in a complete game effort, while Katie Butler provided the lone RBI for the Express in a 3-0 win.
Melanie Iacoangeli singled, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tabitha Britt and scored on a passed ball to put Owens up 1-0 in the first inning.
Then, in the third, the Express scored two more runs. Iacoangeli singled and stole second once again leading off. Britt then laid down a bunt single, and Iacoangeli scored on a throwing error on the play. Britt would later score on a sacrifice fly by Butler.
Iacoangeli and Mareshah Scott would combine to single and steal second leading off an inning three times in the game.
With all the run support she needed, Michalak shut down Cuyahoga's bats and received some fine defense behind her. While lowering her season ERA to 0.94, she didn't walk a batter and struck out nine. She is now 12-0 this year.
Iacoangeli finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, while Sydney Barron was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and Scott was 2-for-3 with two stolen bases.
Jillian Coyle took the loss for Cuyahoga. She went the complete six innings while allowing nine hits, three runs and zero walks. She struck out five.
WP: Michalak (12-0), LP: Coyle, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (2-3, 2 R, 2 SB)
Game 2: No. 8 Owens 9 Cuyahoga 0 (5 innings)
Lexi Sheets and Kasey Graham combined to one-hit Tri-C's offense, while the Express offense exploded for six runs in the fourth inning en route to a 9-0, five inning victory.
The only hit for Cuyahoga came with two outs in the second inning on a double from Brittney Helmick.
The Express scored in only two innings, but produced very well in each of them. In a three run second inning, Michelle Hollister had a two run double to right field, while Iacoangeli had an RBI single to left field. Other hits in the inning came from Olivia Reeder, Scott and Barron. Owens stranded the bases loaded in the inning.
In the third, Sheets allowed back-to-back one out walks. Express head coach Duane Lanham then went to the bullpen to bring in Graham, who recorded an out in all eight at bats she faced.
In the six run fourth inning for Owens, Barron had an RBI triple to left field, Aja Hall had a two-run single to left, Scott had an RBI single and Hallie Thompson had an RBI double. The Express had six hits in the inning, while the RBIs for Hall were her first of the season.
Barron was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a triple, while Scott was 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Hollister added a 1-for-2, two run, two RBI performance. She added a double and a walk.
Graham improved to 5-1 with her win in relief as she struck out one in her 2.2 innings. Sheets received a no decision in her 2.1 innings. She allowed one hit and two walks.
Maria DiDonato took the loss for Cuyahoga. Her final line included four innings, 12 hits, nine runs, one walk and one strikeout.
WP: Graham (5-1), LP: DiDonato, Offensive Leader: Barron (2-3, R, 3B, RBI)
Notes
The Express improved to 24-2 overall and 4-0 in the OCCAC. With their two shutout wins today, their 8-0 win over Tiffin University JV in game two yesterday, and three scoreless innings at the end of the first game against Tiffin University JV, the Express pitching staff now has a 20 inning scoreless streak.
Prior to the doubleheader, the Express continued to do their best Rodney Dangerfield impression in the NJCAA D-II poll as they dropped one spot to No. 8. Despite having the fewest losses in the nation, the Express was the only team to drop a spot in the top seven despite multiple teams losing games above them.
Graham lowered her season ERA to 1.98 with her eight up, eight down performance in relief today.
Michalak's 12-0 start is the second best in program history behind last year's No. 1 starter Jordan Ratliff, who started 19-0. Her sub one ERA is among the nation's best.
Iacoangeli raised her season high stolen base total to 32. She has some work to do if she wants to break the single season record of 72 held by Kylie Zweifel.
Wednesday, April 18
Lakeland Softball Splits with Tri-C in OCCAC Opener
Lakeland opened the conference slate with a 12-1 win over host Tri-C before dropping game two 8-2 on Tuesday afternoon. The split moves the Lakers overall record to 12-16 entering Wednesday’s non-conference doubleheader against Lorain County.
Game 1: Lakeland 12, Cuyahoga 1
Freshman Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) scored once and drove in three to lead the Lakeland offense in game one. Sophomore Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI while classmate Stephanie Ziegler (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) tallied four hits – including a triple – in the victory.
Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) delivered a pair of doubles, part of five extra-base hits for the visitors.
The Lakers scattered 16 hits in 33 at-bats, providing more than enough run support for freshman pitcher Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North). Fitzgerald allowed just four hits and one run in six innings of work to pick up the win.
Game 2: Lakeland 2, Cuyahoga 8
Lakeland’s bats fell silent in game two as the visitors registered just three hits in the nightcap. Two of those hits came in the form of triples from Ziegler and sophomore Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) while Megan Juratovac (Madison, Ohio / Madison) slugged an RBI double with her only hit of the game.
Lakeland Baseball Sweeps Tri-C in Crucial OCCAC Matchup
Lakeland baseball rattled off four straight wins over the weekend, capped by an offensive explosion on Sunday afternoon, to improve to 7-9 in the OCCAC and 15-21 overall. The Lakers held Tri-C to just two runs in a pair of games on Friday before erupting for 26 runs in Sunday’s doubleheader to move into second place in the conference standings.
Game 1: Lakeland 5, Cuyahoga 2
Sophomore Matt Palko (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid) hurled a complete game four-hitter to propel the Lakers past visiting Tri-C on Friday afternoon. Palko allowed two runs (one earned) in seven innings and struck out six to pick up his second win of the season.
Matt Wheeler (New Philadelphia, Ohio / Indian Valley) and Todd Queener (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) each went 3-for-4 at the plate to ignite the Lakeland offense. Wheeler scored twice and drove in one while Queener added two RBI in the win.
Game 2: Lakeland 4, Cuyahoga 0
John Gora (Youngstown, Ohio / Western Reserve Berlin Center) stymied the Tri-C offense with a complete game shutout to help the Lakers take Friday’s nightcap 4-0. Gora fanned seven and allowed just four hits to improve to 4-2 on the season. The freshman moved his ERA to a team-best 1.71 after Friday’s outing.
Freshman Nick Toth (Medina, Ohio / Hudson) drove in two and stole a base while classmates Justin Webb (Parma Heights, Ohio / Valley Forge) and Mason Wisner (Bay Village, Ohio / Bay) each recorded an RBI. Andrew Dito (Lorain, Ohio / Amherst) added a walk to a pair of runs for the Lakers, who won for the third time in their last four games.
Game 3: Lakeland 9, Cuyahoga 7
Andrew Dito and Mason Wisner both went yard to power the Lakers past Tri-C in game one of an OCCAC doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. Dito went 2-for-3 with the homerun and a double while Wisner’s only hit of the game came in the form of a three-run shot.
Game 4: Lakeland 16, Cuyahoga 4
Lakeland erupted for 15 hits in 25 at-bats and scored a season-high 16 runs to bookend a 4-0 weekend. Todd Queener blasted two homeruns and drove in a career-high five while Andy Mitroff (Kent, Ohio / Aurora) added a career-high four RBI in the victory. Matt Wheeler went 3-for-4 with three runs while Andrew Dito and Mitroff both recorded two doubles.
Gabe Goldsberry (Bluffton, Ohio / Bluffton) went the distance on the mound to earn the win.
Lakeland returns to action on Tuesday (April 17) when it welcomes Allegheny South to campus for a non-conference twinbill.
Michalak Remains Perfect As No. 7 Express Softball Sweep DH From Tiffin University
Ashlyn Michalak started shaky, but settled down to finish off a come from behind, complete game victory over Tiffin University JV before the No. 7 Express rolled in the second game of a sweep at home Tuesday.
Game 1: Owens 4 Tiffin University JV 3
Down 3-0, the Express scored twice in the fourth and fifth innings to pick up the 4-3 win.
Katie Butler started the first Express rally in the fourth inning with a leadoff walk. Amanda Sinay would come in to pinch run, and she would advance to second on a throwing error with one out. After a strikeout, Sinay scored on two wild pitches to make it 3-1. Mareshah Scott then drew a two out walk, stole second and scored on a single to center by Hallie Thompson.
In the fifth, Tabitha Britt walked to lead off the inning before being sacrificed to second by Sydney Barron. Butler then knocked her home with a sharp single to left field to tie the game at three. Butler later scored the game winning run on a wild pitch.
Michalak, after allowing a run in the first and two in the fourth, retired nine of the final 11 batters she faced to pick up her 11th win this season. She allowed four hits, four walks and three runs (two earned) while striking out seven.
Ashley Ries took the loss for Tiffin. She allowed seven hits, four runs (three earned) and five walks while striking out five over the first five innings. Samantha Phillips pitched the sixth and allowed one hit with one strikeout.
Thompson finished 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Express, while Butler was 1-for-2 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Melanie Iacoangeli was 2-for-3, but her nine game streak with at least one stolen base came to an end.
WP: Michalak (11-0), LP: Ries, Offensive Leader: Thompson (2-3, RBI)
Game 2: Owens 8 Tiffin University JV 0
Lexi Sheets and Kasey Graham combined to shutdown the Tiffin bats, while Butler and Michelle Hollister led the Express offense in an 8-0 win.
Butler and her teammates executed what may have been the highlight of the day in the first inning. With Iacoangeli on third and Barron on second, Butler laid down a push bunt towards short. Tiffin's third baseman picked it up and threw her out, but both runners came around on a double suicide squeeze that worked to perfection and put Owens up 2-0.
In the second, the Express took a 3-0 lead when Olivia Reeder walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Scott, and scored on a double to left field by Hollister.
After Sheets held Tiffin scoreless through three, Graham came on in the fourth. She allowed a two-out single, but nothing else. Then, in the bottom half, the Express scored five times.
Aja Hall singled to left field leading off the inning. Following a flyout, Scott singled to put runners on first and second. Thompson then reached on an error to load the bases before Hollister singled home two runs. After a walk by Iacoangeli to reload the bases, Jaylee Glad drew a bases loaded walk to make it 6-0.
Following a pitching change, Hollister scored on a passed ball and Iacoangeli scored on a fielding error by Tiffin's shortstop to close the scoring. Hall, who started the inning with a single, then popped out to short to end the inning.
Graham then allowed an infield single to second base leading off the seventh, but retired the next three batters to close out the game.
Sheets (7-1) picked up the win, while Graham was credited with her team-high third save of the year. The final line for Sheets included two hits and two walks in three innings, while Graham's final line included two hits and one strikeout in two innings.
Hollister was 2-for-2 with a run, three RBIs and a double. Butler was 0-2, but executed the double squeeze to earn two RBIs, while Iacoangeli was 1-for-2 with two runs and a walk.
WP: Sheets (7-1), LP: Searight, SV: Graham (3), Offensive Leader: Hollister (2-2, R, 2B, 3 RBI)
Notes
The Express (22-2) will take on OCCAC foe Cuyahoga Community College in a home doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Iacoangeli had her nine game stolen base streak snapped, but she extended her hitting streak to 13 games with her 4-for-6 day. In those 13 games, she is hitting .619 with 16 runs, 26 hits, one double, five RBIs, five walks and 20 stolen bases. She is hitting .538 overall.
Hall, who is now 3-for-8 in four games with the Express since joining the team following the end of basketball season, picked up a hit in each game today.
Hollister is now hitting .453 this year and added to her team-high RBI total today. She has 27 this year.
Every Express regular is hitting at least .320 except two. As a team, Owens is hitting .357.
Scott's stolen base in the second game was her 16th this year...in 16 attempts. She is second on the team in stolen bases behind Iacoangeli, who has 29.
Michalak is now 11-0 with a 1.02 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched.
Magic Number at Two as Sinclair Baseball Sweeps Owens
After winning the first two games at Owens, Sinclair traveled back to Toledo on Tuesday to finish the series. Game three began in the bottom of the 5th inning with nobody out, and Sinclair ahead 3-1. Freshmen Matt Kruzel entered the game for Corey Johnson and recorded three quick outs to send the game into the 6th. Both teams failed to score in the 6th, but in the 7th Sinclair got hot and scored three runs. The Pride offense reeled off eight straight quality plate appearances and the inning was highlighted by a Kyle Vander Ark sacrifice fly that went fifteen feet from home plate. Joe Ford saw that the plate was uncovered and he tagged up to score. Owens scored one run in the bottom of the inning but Kruzel ended the game with a strikeout.
Game 1: Final Score: #11 Sinclair 6 Owens 2
WP: Corey Johnson (3-3) 4IP 5H 1ER 3K’s
SV: Matt Kruzel (2) 3IP 2H 1ER K
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 2RS RBI, Kyle Vander Ark 2-3 3B 2RBI’s, Blake Hall 1-2 RS SAC 2B.
Brock Trimbur started for the Pride in the final game of the series and was looking to finish the sweep. Trimbur put zeros on the board early and the offense took off from there. The Tartan hitters scored a run in 1st and the 4th and scored three times in both the 3rd and 5th innings. The runs in the 5th were scored on three straight hits from the top of the order, all with two outs. Trimbur turned the ball over to Ryan Carter for the final two innings to preserve the win.
Game 2: Final Score: #11 Sinclair 8 Owens 5
WP: Brock Trimbur (6-0) 5IP 6H 3ER K
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-5 RS RBI, Austin Downing 2-4 2RS SAC 2RBI’s, Drew Williams 2-3 RS BB 2RBI’s.
Sinclair is now riding their longest winning streak of the season at twelve (33-11 Overall, 14-2 in OCCAC). This weekend, the Pride host Lakeland CC in their last conference home series of the season. With just one win, Sinclair will claim their 4th straight OCCAC Conference Title. Friday’s game one is schedule for 2pm and Jon Thacker will be on the mound for the Pride.
Tuesday, April 17
Extra Inning Victory for Sinclair Baseball over Northwestern Ohio at 5th-3rd Field
Nine innings wasn't enough for Sinclair's first ever game at 5th-3rd Field, Home of the Dayton Dragons. A record crowd of over 1000 people were on hand to witness history and they were entertained all game by the Dayton Dragons Green Team. The Pride took a 4-3 lead into the 8th inning when Northwestern Ohio's Anthony Annuziata hit a two run homerun off Matt Sullivan to give the Racers the lead. The Tartans answered in the bottom half when Joe Ford singled in Nick McGill to tie the game at five. Sullivan pitched a scoreless 10th, and the stage was set in the bottom of the inning for Matt to be the hero. With two outs, bases loaded, and a full count, Sullivan hit a hard groundball to third that was misplayed by the third basemen and ended the game with Austin Downing crossing the plate.
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 6 UNOH JV 5
WP: Matt Sullivan (1-0) 3IP 2H 2ER 2K's
Offensive Leaders: Austin Downing 3-5 RS RBI, Dan Lawrence 2-4 RS 2B, Dan Holtzman 2-3 RS RBI.
Thanks to all who attended and for everyone that made this an outstanding event. Special thanks to President Johnson, Madeline Iseli, Lauren Johnson, Jack Giambrone, Kelly Vogelsong, Chris Spurling, and Brandy Abney, along with the entire Dayton Dragons staff.
Monday, April 16
Sinclair Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader at Owens
The Tartan offense came out on fire in Friday's OCCAC game at Owens Community College. Joe Ford led off with a double to left and the rally began. Sinclair took advantage of an Owens error and reeled off five hits including a Blake Hall homerun to cap off the inning. Jon Thacker took seven run lead into the bottom of the 1st and cruised to his 5th win of the season and another complete game. The bottom of the ordered combined to go 7-9 with five extra base hits (Players listed below).
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 8 Owens 1
WP: Jon Thacker (5-0) 7IP ER 4H 4K's
Offensive Leaders: Jon Lowe 3-3 2RS 3B HR RBI, Paul Wilson 2-3 2B 2RBI's, Blake Hall 2-3 2B HR 2 RBI's.
Pride hitters didn't let up in game two of the series, pounding out fifteen hits and scoring thirteen runs. Ian Creager matched Jon Thacker's performance with a complete game victory of his own.
Final Score: #11 Sinclair 13 Owens 0
WP: Ian Creager 7IP 3H 0ER 11K's
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 3RS BB 2B RBI, Kyle Vander Ark 2-3 BB RBI, Dan Lawrence 3-5 2RBI's, Matt Sullivan 2-3 2RS BB 2B, Jon Lowe 1-2 2RS BB SAC, Paul Wilson 2-4 2RS RBI, Mike Maddle 2-4 2RS 2 2B's 4RBI's.
Game three is currently in the bottom of the 5 th with Sinclair leading 3-1. This game will be resumed on Tuesday at 3pm at Owens. Game four will follow.
Saturday, April 14
Thompson Carries No. 7 Express Past No. 17 Mercyhurst, Hollister Slams 2 HR As Express Move To 20-2
Sophomores Hallie Thompson and Michelle Hollister powered the No. 7 Express past two ranked opponents today in North East, PA. With the wins, the Express moved to 20-2 overall.
Game 1: No. 7 Owens 4 No. 17 Mercyhurst NE 3
Thompson and Hollister combined to go 5-for-6 with three runs, three RBIs, two triples and a home run as the Express inched past Mercyhurst in a closely contested matchup.
The Express offense broke through first with a single run in the second inning. Tabitha Britt produced a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Thompson, who had singled with one out.
In the third, Mercyhurst answered back with two runs (one earned) off Express starter Ashlyn Michalak to take the lead. The first run came on a leadoff solo home run. The next batter hit a fly ball to right center, but Melanie Iacoangeli dropped it, which put the Mercyhurst runner at second. One out later, a single scored the second run.
The lead wouldn't last long as the Express took a 3-2 lead in the next half inning when Thompson tripled with one out and scored on a two-run home run from Hollister.
The Express then added what turned out to be the game winning run in the fifth inning. With two outs, Mareshah Scott lined a double down the left field line and scored on Thompson's second triple of the day to right field.
Neither team would score until the bottom half of the seventh. Back-to-back singles started the inning off Michalak. Following a sacrifice bunt that advanced both runners, Michalak got a key strikeout. The next batter, however, lined an RBI single directly off Michalak's leg to make it 4-3. Michalak, while initially going down in pain, toughed it out and stayed in the game. She then induced a 4-3 groundout to end the game.
Michalak picked up her 10th win this season. While she didn't have her best game of the year, the sophomore scattered eight hits and one walk while striking out five in the complete game win. Only two of the three runs she allowed were earned.
Alex Puckly (13-4) took the complete game loss for Mercyhurst. She allowed 11 hits, four runs and two walks while striking out four.
Thompson finished 3-for-3 with two runs, two triples and an RBI, while Hollister was 2-for-3 with a two run HR. Iacoangeli went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base from the leadoff spot.
The Express left nine runners on base in the game - including five in the first two innings.
Scott made a great play defensively in the fourth inning to preserve a 3-2 lead at the time for the Express. With runners on runners on first and second and one out, Mercyhurst's Allison Balkovic singled to centerfield. The ball took a funny bounce up near Scott's head but she fielded it and threw home to keep the bases loaded. Michalak got a 1-2 groundout and a 4-3 groundout to end the inning.
Game 2: No. 7 Owens 10 No. 28 CC of Rhode Island 1
The Express led 3-1 entering the sixth inning, but a three run homer from Hollister highlighted a seven run sixth inning that ended the game.
Similar to the first game, the Express took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Scott singled with one out before Hollister lined a single to left field one out later. On the play, though, CCRI's left fielder had the ball roll past her and all the way to the fence. Scott scored on the play, while Hollister moved to third, where she was stranded to end the inning.
In the fourth, Britt put Owens up 3-0 when she lined a two run double to left center that scored Hollister and Iacoangeli. Hollister had doubled, while Iacoangeli had singled earlier in the inning.
Express starter Lexi Sheets was the victim of a tough luck run in the fifth inning. With two outs and runners at first and third, CCRI's Devin Azulay popped a pitch up behind the circle in the infield. However, nobody took charge and the ball fell for an RBI single. Following a walk to the next batter to load the bases, Kasey Graham relieved Sheets and induced a groundout to second base to end the inning.
After the Express went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the fifth, CCRI got a one out double off Graham, but she got the next batter to fly out to center. On the play, the runner tagged and went to third, but she left early and the Express got a double play out of it.
The Express then exploded for seven runs in the sixth to end the game. Following back-to-back leadoff singles by Scott and Thompson, Hollister crushed the first pitch she saw deep over the center field wall for a three run homer. Following two more singles by Iacoangeli and Britt, a throwing error plated the fourth run. Katie Butler then hit a shot off the top of the center field wall to score Britt and make it 8-3.
Following a single by Glad and an intentional walk to Allison Hausch, who made her season debut today, the bases were loaded. Pinch hitter Hannah Morrison then lined a ground rule double to left center to score Glad and Katlyn Whitmarsh, who pinch ran for Butler.
Sheets improved to 6-1 with the win, while Graham was credited with her second save. The final line for Sheets included 4.2 innings, three hits, one run, six walks and three strikeouts. Graham's final line included 1.1 innings, one hit and one strikeout.
Hollister finished 3-for-3 with two runs, three RBIs, a double and a three run homer, while Iacoangeli was 3-for-3 with two runs, a walk and a stolen base. Britt, Butler and Scott each added two hits, while Britt had a run and two RBIs.
As a team, the Express finished 15-for-30 with 10 runs, eight RBIs, four doubles, one home run, two walks and two stolen bases against CCRI.
Michelle Sylvestre took the loss for CCRI. Her final line included 5.1 innings, 15 hits, 10 runs (nine earned), two walks and one strikeout. It was her first loss this season.
Notes
The Express improved to 20-2 overall with their two wins today. No. 28 CCRI fell to 19-6 and No. 17 Mercyhurst NE fell to 30-7.
Owens will take on Mercyhurst NE at 10 a.m. tomorrow, followed by a 12 p.m. game against CCRI, and a 3 p.m. game against Monroe Community College.
Iacoangeli improved her team-high batting average to .533 with team-highs in stolen bases (29), runs (25) and hits (32). Hollister has a team-high 24 RBIs to go with her .450 average. She also has a team-high four home runs now.
Thompson took over the team lead in triples and now has four this year.
Cincinnati State Golf finishes 2nd in OCCAC South golf tournament in Middletown
The Cincinnati State golf team finished in 2nd place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference South Tournament held Friday at Middletown’s Weatherwax Golf Course.
A total of 5 strokes separated the top three teams, as the Surge bested Owens Community College by 1 stroke and fell to Columbus State Community College by 4.
"Today was incredibly tight. It is an eye opener for all of the players that one stroke can really make all the difference on any given day," said Cincinnati State golf coach Scott Webb.
Here are the overall team results from today’s tournament:
1st place: Columbus State Community College (306 strokes)
2nd place: Cincinnati State Community College (310 strokes)
3rd place: Owens Community College (311 strokes)
4th place: Vincennes University (332 strokes)
5th place: Lakeland Community College (344 strokes)
6th place: Lorain Community College (386 strokes)
Danny Gravett shot a team best 74, which placed 3rd in the individual standings as well as marking Gravett's collegiate career low. Josh Bialecki followed Gravett with a 78. LaSalle graduate Matt Stiens and Turpin Hills product Wheeler Renfro each shot 79.
"We are playing well as a team. For me personally, it is good to get off to a good start this season. I just want to keep contributing every time I tee it up," said Gravett, a graduate of Cincinnati’s School for the Creative & Performing Arts.
Ash Alstadt of Columbus State shot the low round of the tournament with an even-par 72. Alstadt was also the low scorer in Thursday’s Cincinnati State Invitational at Browns Run Country Club in Middletown.
For Complete OCCAC Golf Results, Please Click Here
Friday, April 13
Cincinnati State finishes in 2nd place in Cincinnati State Invitational
Here are the overall team results from today’s tournament:
1st place: Columbus State Community College (301 strokes)
2nd place: Cincinnati State Community College (311 strokes)
3rd place: Owens Community College (314 strokes)
4th place: Vincennes University (344 strokes)
5th place: Lakeland Community College (351 strokes)
6th place: Lorain Community College (378 strokes)
Danny Gravett, a Cincinnati local from the School of Creative & Performing Arts, finished in 3rd place individually with a 75. Josh Bialecki finished in a tie for 4th with a 77. Wheeler Renfro, a Turpin Hills graduate, shot a 78. Evan Bryan, a Mason High School product, recorded an 80.
Columbus State’s Ash Alstadt finished with the low round of the tournament with a 4-under 68.
“It was a great day to open up league play. We had great weather and great golf. Our guys played well. We all congratulate Ash on a great round,” Cincinnati State golf coach Scott Webb said.
For Complete OCCAC Golf Results, Please Click Here
Thursday, April 12
Iacoangeli Steals The Show As Express Softball (18-2/2-0) Sweep Defiance College JV
The No. 7 Express softball team combined for 31 hits and 18 stolen bases, while Ashlyn Michalak had another strong outing in the circle, as they swept Defiance College JV 11-2 and 10-2.
Game 1: Owens 11 Defiance JV 2
Michalak pitched five strong innings, while Melanie Iacoangeli and the Express offense banged out 17 hits and swiped 12 bases.
The Express jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first with three hits, three walks and two stolen bases. Katie Butler had a two run double, while Mareshah Scott had an RBI single in the inning.
After Michalak struck out the side in the bottom of the first, the Express added two more runs in the second. Iacoangeli singled, stole second and third, and scored on a single by Tabitha Britt, who later scored on an groundout by Sydney Barron.
In the third, Michalak allowed a two-out, two-run triple that cut the Express lead to 6-2. However, the Express offense answered right back with a run in the fourth when Jaylee Glad singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Barron.
The Express scored two more in the sixth on a passed ball and an RBI single from Scott. Then, in the seventh, Iacoangeli singled with one out, stole second and third and scored on a single by Glad. Butler later had an RBI single to score Glad and make it 11-2.
Iacoangeli led the Express offense with a 4-for-5, three run, six stolen base game, while Butler and Scott each added three hits. Butler led the team with three RBIs, while Barron had two RBIs.
Michalak (9-0) allowed two hits, two runs and three walks while striking out 12 in her five innings. Lexi Sheets pitched the final two innings and allowed only one walk while striking out one.
Lisa Brophy took the complete game loss for Defiance JV. She allowed 17 hits and three walks while striking out three.
WP: Michalak (9-0), LP: Brophy, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (4-5, 3 R, 6 SB)
Game 2: Owens 10 Defiance JV 2
The Express pounded out 14 more hits as they cruised to a 10-2 win in the second game.
Defiance JV took a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to an unearned run. The Express then took a 3-1 lead in the third inning as Iacoangeli had an RBI groundout, Glad had an RBI single and Butler had a two-out RBI double to left field.
Owens then added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, while Defiance JV scored a single run in the fifth.
In the third, Olivia Reeder singled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI double from Hollister. Butler hit her first homer for the Express in the fifth inning with two outs, while Scott singled, stole second and scored on a groundout by Hollister in the sixth.
Defiance's run in the fifth was unearned.
With a 6-2 lead heading into the seventh, the Express scored four more to put the game away. After two of the first three batters got out, the Express had four straight hits followed by another RBI groundout from Hollister. Aside from Hollister, RBIs came from Alyssa Lassey, Scott and Hannah Morrison.
Sheets (5-1) started for the Express and picked up the win. She went the first four innings and allowed one hit, one run (zero earned) and two walks while striking out six. Kasey Graham pitched the final three innings to pick up the save. She allowed two hits, one run (zero earned) and one walk.
Four players (Lassey, Scott, Morrison and Butler) had two hits apiece in the second game, while Hollister had a team-high three RBIs. Butler was just behind her with two RBIs, while five others picked up one RBI apiece.
Katie Grubbs took the complete game loss for Defiance as she allowed 14 hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and one walk over seven innings.
WP: Sheets (5-1), LP: Grubbs, Offensive Leader: Butler (2-4, HR, 2 RBIs)
Notes
The Express are now 18-2 overall and 2-0 in the OCCAC. They will travel to North East, PA this weekend for five games - two against No. 17 Mercyhurst North East (26-6), two against No. 28 Community College of Rhode Island (17-4) and one against Monroe (NY) Community College.
Iacoangeli stole two more bases in the second game and finished with eight in the doubleheader. While upping her batting average to .500, she now has stolen a team-high 27 bases and scored a team-high 23 runs…Scott is now 15-for-15 in stolen bases, which is second on the team…Glad upped her average to .571 (12-21)…Hollister has a team-high 19 RBIs…Butler combined to hit 5-for-8 with three runs and five RBIs in the two games. She raised her average to .313…As a team, the Express are now hitting .352…Michalak now has 113 strikeouts in 69.2 innings – and a 0.82 ERA.
Wednesday, April 11
Express Golf Take 4th In A.C. Eddy Invitational
Fresh off their first place finish in the Defiance College Invitational, the Express tied for fourth among nine teams in the A.C. Eddy Invitational hosted by Trine University on Tuesday.
Darren Gessner once again led the Express with a low score of 76, while Luke Berger (77), Greg Hermes (78), Cleo Trumbull (81) and Conor Totzke (83) finished just behind him.
As individuals, Tyler Crossley shot an 81, while Brian Brumenshenkel shot an 83.
Hope College took home first place with a 302.
The Express will open OCCAC play Thursday in the Cincinnati State Invitational and Friday in the OCCAC South Tournament in Cincinnati, OH.
Michalak Eclipses 100 Strikeouts This Year As Express Softball (16-2/2-0) Split Doubleheader With GRCC
Toledo, OH---Ashlyn Michalak pitched six solid innings in a 5-1 win, but the No. 9 Express were unable to overcome a seven run deficit while dropping the second game of a doubleheader to Grand Rapids, 10-9, on Tuesday.
Game 1: Owens 5 Grand Rapids 1
Michalak struck out nine over six innings as she captured her eighth win of the season. She allowed four hits and one run while not walking a batter.
Owens took a 2-0 lead in the first. Melanie Iacoangeli singled and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Sydney Barron, and Tabitha Britt was hit by a pitch and later scored on a passed ball.
In the second, Iacoangeli reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and later scored on a wild pitch to put the Express up 3-0.
Michalak allowed her only run in the sixth inning thanks to a two-out rally. Kelsey Caposey singled through the left side, which was the first hit to leave the infield off Michalak. Tiani Beck then doubled her home to make it 3-1.
Then, in the bottom half, the Express added two insurance runs. Alyssa Lassey, who pinch ran for Katie Butler after she led off with a single, scored on a triple to right field by Olivia Reeder, who then scored on another triple by Hallie Thompson.
Kasey Graham pitched the seventh inning for the Express. She allowed back-to-back, two-out singles, but held GRCC scoreless to finish off the 16th win for the Express.
Iacoangeli finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, while Reeder was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a triple. Barron went 0-for-2, but picked up her fourth sacrifice fly of the season.
Game 2: Grand Rapids 10 Owens 9
The Express experienced their first regular season, non-conference loss since the spring of 2010, but nearly pulled off a miracle comeback.
Graham started, but struggled early as she allowed four hits, four runs and two walks while striking out two over one plus innings pitched. She exited after allowing a leadoff walk in the second inning.
Lexi Sheets relieved her, but Grand Rapids took a 6-0 lead through the end of the second inning.
Owens would cut their deficit to three with two runs in the third and one in the fourth. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases with no outs, Tabitha Britt popped out to second. However, Barron came through with another sacrifice fly and a double steal by Mareshah Scott and Michelle Hollister scored the second run.
In the fourth, Amanda Sinay walked with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Thompson to make it 6-3.
With Sheets still pitching, Grand Rapids killed some of the Express momentum with three more runs in the fifth inning. Michalak relieved Sheets with one out, and she kept the damage to a minimum with only one inherited runner scoring.
In the bottom half of the inning, with two on and two out, Sinay was robbed of extra bases in right center.
Grand Rapids would score what proved to be the game winning run in the sixth inning. Following a one out triple, GRCC's Danielle Goad hit a foul fly to deep right, but Sinay caught it - allowing the runner to tag and score.
Down 10-3, the Express would then score six runs in the bottom half to pull within one. The inning featured six hits and two GRCC errors, which helped allow the final two runs of the inning to come across. Some key moments included an RBI single by April DeCant, an RBI single by Jaylee Glad, another sacrifice fly by Barron, and an RBI bunt single by Iacoangeli.
The Express stranded runners on first and second to end the sixth as Thompson popped out to second base to end the threat.
Michalak allowed a two-out single in the seventh, but struck out two to set up a possible Express comeback in the seventh. However, the Express only got a two-out single from Glad and nothing else as GRCC finished off the win.
Glad finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, Sinay was 2-for-3 with a run and a walk, Iacoangeli was 2-for-4 with a run, and RBI and a stolen base. The Express out-hit GRCC 13-12.
Casey Cherry allowed seven runs over five plus innings, but picked up the win for GRCC. Emily Karbutowski relieved her amidst the sixth inning Express rally and allowed four hits and two runs (zero earned) while striking out two.
Sheets totaled 3.1 innings, six hits, five runs, two walks and three strikeouts, while Michalak went 2.2 innings and allowed two hits, one run and zero walks while striking out two.
Notes
Barron now has a team-high six sacrifice flies this year...In 11 games of action, Glad is now hitting .563, which leads the team...Sinay is hitting .500 (7-for-14) in 11 games of action...Iacoangeli is leading regulars with a .489 average (22-for-45) with a team high 19 stole bases...Michalak is now 8-0 with a 0.66 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched.
The Express (16-2, 2-0 OCCAC) will be back in action Wednesday in Defiance as they take on Defiance College's JV team beginning at 4 p.m. before traveling to North East, PA this weeked for five games.
Tuesday, April 10
Brendan Cooper Named First Team All-American by NJCAA
Sophomore forward Brendan Cooper (Parma, Ohio / Parma) has been selected First Team All-American by the NJCAA, becoming the sixth player in program history to earn national honors. Cooper joins Ray Chambers (2011), Jonathan Burge (2001), and Kevin Hampton (1998) as the only first team selections in the 42-year history of Lakeland men’s basketball.
Cooper led the Lakers to their second straight Region 12, District 10 title and NJCAA Division II Tournament appearance, where they advanced to the Final Four before losing to eventual-champion Mott Community College 84-73 in the national semifinals. Cooper and the Lakers finished the season 27-9 overall and fourth in the nation, the best result in program history.
Cooper averaged 17.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season, good for second on the team in both categories. He led the team in assists (4.2) and steals (2.1) per game and recorded 17 double-doubles on the year, including a pair at the National Tournament.
The First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region 12 selection helped the Lakers open the season with 11 straight wins, including an upset at then-No. 3 Erie Community College, and rise to a No. 3 national ranking. He was named MVP of the 4th Annual TJ Memorial Classic after guiding host Lakeland to the tournament championship and earned conference player of the week accolades on January 15.
Cooper exits Lakeland with 886 points and 511 rebounds after playing in 65 games and helping the Lakers go 47-19 during that time.
Lakeland Baseball (11-21) Earns Split at Potomac State
Lakeland snapped a 12-game losing streak by defeating host Potomac State 7-3 in game one of a non-conference doubleheader before dropping game two 10-6. The Lakers sit at 11-21 overall entering this weekend’s series with conference-rival Cuyahoga.
Game One: Lakeland 7, Potomac State 3
Freshmen Nick Toth (Medina, Ohio / Hudson) and Matt Wheeler (New Philadelphia, Ohio / Indian Valley) each drove in three runs to power the Lakeland baseball team to the win. It was a career-high in RBI for both newcomers while classmates Andrew Dito (Lorain, Ohio / Amherst) and Jordan Pratt (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) each scored twice.
Sophomore Todd Queener (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base in the victory.
Sophomore Shane Sullivan (Lafayette, Ind.) earned the complete-game victory on the mound, scattering eight hits and striking out seven to improve to 1-1 on the season.
Game Two: Lakeland 6, Potomac State 10
Todd Queener paced the offense by going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored while stealing his team-leading seventh base of the year. Pratt recorded two more hits and drove in a pair in the nightcap. Mason Wisner (Bay Village, Ohio / Bay) added an RBI and run in the setback.
Lakeland will open a four-game series with Tri-C on Friday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Monday, April 9
Express Baseball (13-22/6-6) Win In Extras To Split Doubleheader With Mercyhurst North East
The Express baseball team defeated Mercyhurst North East 4-3 in extra innings in game one, but were one-hit in the second game as they split a doubleheader at home.
Game 1: Owens 4 Mercyhurst NE 3 (8 innings)
Logan Shullick's walk-off RBI single through a drawn in infield with the bases loaded gave the Express the win after Alex Juday pitched seven solid innings.
Juday got off to a rough start as he allowed three hits and two runs in the first innings. Then, after allowing an unearned run in the second, he settled into a comfort zone. In all, he allowed seven hits, three runs (two earned) and one walk while striking out four.
After Juday allowed his two first inning runs, the Express tied it in the bottom half. Nate Manis singled and stole second before Clayton Ruch walked and Ryan Hotmer reached on catcher's interference to load the bases.
Myles Debol then flew out to right field. Manis, who was holding at third on the play, would end up scoring on the play thanks to a throwing error by Mercyhurst's right fielder. James Moore Jr. then had an RBI groundout to tie the game.
Down 3-2 in the fifth, Hotmer lined an RBI single down the right field line to score Michael Louis, who had singled, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout.
Dane Davis relieved Juday in the eighth and retired the side in order to set up Shullick's game winner.
Myles Debol had a hustle double to lead off the eighth inning rally. After Daniel Heatherly came in to pinch run for him, Moore attempted a sacrifice bunt, but reached on an error Following an intentional walk to load the bases, Shullick finished the game.
Shullick, Moore and Hotmer each picked up RBIs in the game, while six different players each got one hit. Debol had the only extra base hit for Owens.
Davis moved to 4-1 with the win in relief, while Mercyhurst's Tyler Fisher took the loss.
WP: D. Davis, LP: Fisher, Offensive Leader: Shullick (1-4, GW, Walk-Off RBI)
Game 2: Mercyhurst 4 Owens 0
Not much went right for the Express in the second game as Eric Schell threw a complete game, one-hitter for Mercyhurst.
Schell's final line included one hit, two walks and three strikeouts.
Hotmer started on the mound for Owens and allowed three hits, three runs and three walks over the first three innings. He was credited with the loss - his first this season.
Four relievers pitched one inning in relief of Hotmer. Adam Jones allowed one hit in the fourth, Jeff Davis had a 1-2-3 fifth, Aaron Peoples allowed one hit and one unearned run in the sixth and Sean Koerber allowed one hit in the seventh.
Ruch got the only Express hit in the fourth inning, which happened to be the inning in which the Express had their best scoring opportunity. With two outs, Debol and Moore walked prior to the single by Ruch that loaded the bases. Shullick, however, flew out to left to end the threat.
WP: Schell, LP: Hotmer, Offensive Leader: Fisher (2-4, 2 R)
Notes
The Express are now 13-22 overall and 6-6 in the OCCAC. They will take on OCCAC foe Sinclair Community College at home this Friday and Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. each day. Sinclair took three out of four from Owens on March 24-25 in Dayton.
Sunday, April 8
Sinclair Baseball Sweeps Lakeland on the Road
Game 1: Sinclair 10 Lakeland 5
The Pride carried a 4-3 lead after six innings and erupted for six runs in the 7th to put the game away. Every starter got on base and two players had three hits apiece.
Final Score: Sinclair 10 Lakeland 5
WP: Jon Thacker (4-0) 6IP 7H 3ER 8K's
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 2-4 2RS 2B, Austin Downing 1-2 RS BB SAC RBI, Darwin Argumedo 3-4 2RS 2B RBI, Jon Lowe 3-4 RS 2 2B's 3 RBI's, Blake Hall 1-3 2B RBI.
Game 2: Sinclair 10 Lakeland 0
Ian Creager cruised in the second game only allowing two hits in his six scoreless innings of work. Creager added six strikeouts to his impressive total this year and did not walk a single hitter. The offensive scored in every inning but the first and took advantage of Lakeland's defensive miscues.
Final Score: Sinclair 10 Lakeland 0
WP: Ian Creager (4-1) 6IP 2H 0ER 6K's
Offensive Leaders: Dan Lawrence 2-3 RS BB RBI, Drew Williams 1-3 RBI, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 RS RBI, Kyle Vander Ark 2-3 2RS BB HR (2) 3 RBI's.
Game 3: Sinclair 7 Lakeland 6
Out of all the games in the series, this was the biggest battle. Sinclair starter Stephen Holland went down early with an injury in the 3rd inning and Brock Trimbur came in relief. Trailing 4-1, the Tartans fought back to make it a 4-3 game after scoring a run in the top of the 6th. Lakeland answered though with a pair of doubles and extended their lead to 6-3. Jon Lowe continued his hot streak with a leadoff single and Blake Hall reached on an error. After a Taylor Neal strikeout, Joe Ford drew a walk to load the bases. Austin Downing hit a deep ball to right that was caught for the second out of the inning but scored the runner from third. With two outs and still trailing by two, Dan Lawrence was hit by the pitch to load the bases again. Drew Williams then drilled what would have been the game tying single up the middle but it hit off the pitcher and rolled toward second base. Another run scored and bases remained loaded. That brought up the Columbian Crusher, Darwin Argumedo, and Gato Grande delivered another huge base hit to left scoring two and giving the Pride the lead. Ryan Carter closed the door in the 7th for the save and the comeback was complete.
Final Score: Sinclair 7 Lakeland 6
WP: Brock Trimbur (5-0) 3.1 IP 4 H ER 3K's.
SV: Ryan Carter (3) IP H 2K's.
Offensive Leaders: Austin Downing 1-2 2RS BB 2B RBI, Dan Lawrence 2-2 2RS HBP BB, Drew Williams 2-4 2B RBI, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 4 RBI's, Jon Lowe 2-3 RS 2B.
Game 4: Sinclair 11 Lakeland 1
Few knew about what was going on in the middle of the 7th inning but Corey, three of his coaches, and five pitchers on the bench. Johnson had allowed a run to score in the 6th but still had not given up a hit. The offense once again did their part scoring in five of the seven innings and the score was 11-1 after the top of the 7th. In the bottom half, Johnson hit the first batter but recorded two fly outs to move one out away. The next hitter pulled a groundball down the line that was knocked down by a diving Matt Sullivan, who then threw a bullet across the diamond just in time to nail the runner at first. This was Johnson's first career no-hitter and the first conference no-hitter from a Sinclair pitcher in a very long time.
WP: Corey Johnson (2-3) CG 7IP ER 3K's NO HITS
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 1-3 SB RS BB SAC RBI, Dan Lawrence 2-5 3RS RBI, Drew Williams 1-3 2BB's RBI, Matt Sullivan 2-3 RS BB RBI, Taylor Neal 1-2 2RS 2BB's.
Visiting Monroe Holds Off Lakeland Softball (8-14/0-0)
Monroe Community College used a two-run sixth inning to take game one of a non-conference double-header before stealing game two in extra innings to sweep host Lakeland on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers (8-14, 0-0 OCCAC) will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they travel to Cuyahoga in their first conference game of the year.
Game 1: Lakeland 0, Monroe 3
Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) paced the offense with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate and nearly sparked a late rally with double to right-center to lead off the sixth inning. Trailing by three with runners on the corners and two outs, Lakeland looked poised to trim the deficit only to be picked off at first to end the inning.
Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits.
Game 2: Lakeland 3, Monroe 4 (10 Innings)
The Tribunes broke a 3-3 tie with a single run in the top of the 10th inning and held the Lakers scoreless in the bottom half to pick up the win.
Puscian led the way once again after going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the setback. Freshmen Randi Woodworth (Orwell, Ohio / Grand Valley) and Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) each drove in one while classmates Katie Payne (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor), Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside), and Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) scored runs.
Sophomore Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) suffered the loss despite allowing just one run over seven innings of relief.
Saturday, April 7
Sluggish Offense Dooms Express Baseball In Pair Of Losses To Cuyahoga
The Express baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Cuyahoga Community College on Saturday.
Game 1: Cuyahoga 5 Owens 4
The Express lost a 4-0 lead as Cuyahoga scored five runs in the fourth and fifth inning to take a 5-4 win.
In the third, the Express scored all four of their runs. Travis Tackett led off with a walk and Nate Manis followed with a single to put runners on first and third. A sacrifice fly from Ryan Horvath then put Owens up 1-0. Following a hit batter, Ryan Hotmer tripled to center field to put the Express up 3-0. Daniel Heatherly would score Hotmer on a fielder's choice groundout during the next at bat to complete the scoring.
Express starter Andrew Joseph then allowed two runs in the fourth to cut the lead to 4-2. Sean Koerber relieved him in the fifth and allowed three two-out runs.
Hotmer finished 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Debol went 2-for-3 with a run and Manis was 2-for-4 with a run.
Joseph's final line included four innings, four hits, two runs, three walks and three strikeouts. Koerber's one inning included four hits, three runs, zero walks and one strikeout. Dane Davis pitched the final two innings and retired all six batters he faced.
Owens stranded 10 runners in the game.
WP: Lehto, LP: Koerber, Offensive Leader: Hotmer (3-4, R, RBI)
Game 2: Cuyahoga 7 Owens 1
The Express were one-hit by Cuyahoga's Mark Rauschenbach in a 7-1 loss in the second game.
Cuyahoga scored one run each in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. In the second, Nick Collins reached on an error by Cuyahoga's left fielder to start the inning. Back-to-back groundouts then allowed Collins to score and pull the Express within one.
However, Rauschenbach settled down from there. Aside from a leadoff single in the fourth by Hotmer, he either retired or got a fielder's choice in every other Express at bat.
Thus, Hotmer got the only Express hit, while Collins scored the only run and Logan Shullick got the only RBI.
Cuyahoga scored three runs in the fifth and two in the seventh to complete the scoring.
Jordan Basinger started for the Express. He allowed seven hits, five runs and three walks while striking out three over six innings. Aaron Peoples pitched the seventh and allowed two hits and two runs while striking out two.
Rauschenbach's final line included seven innings, one hit, one run (zero earned), two walks and six strikeouts. He retired the final nine Express batters.
WP: Rauschenbach, LP: Basinger, Offensive Leader: Kovar (1-3, 3 RBIs)
Notes
The Express are now 12-21 overall and 6-6 in the OCCAC. Their next action will be Monday at home against Mercyhurst North East beginning at 3 p.m.
Gessner Leads Express Golf To Defiance College Invitational Championship
The Express golf team captured first place in the Defiance College Invitational today. It was their first invite title since capturing the Owens Invitational in the spring of 2010.
Darren Gessner led the Express with a 75, while Kyle Simmons shot a 77. Other Express scores included: Cleo Trumbull and Conor Totzke with 78 each, Greg Hermes with a 79 and Luke Berger with an 81.
Gessner's 75 was the second lowest score among all golfers in the invitational. Justin Epure from Tiffin University shot a 72.
Owens finished with a team score of 309, while Tiffin University was just behind with a 311. Other team scores were 313 for Trine University and 322 for Defiance College.
Click here for a PDF of today's action.
Friday, April 6
Lakers Softball Roll Past Lorain County
The Lakeland softball team scattered 31 hits over two games in a sweep of Lorain County on Wednesday afternoon. In the doubleheader, the Lakers hit .455 and scored a combined 31 runs – winning game one 17-3 before taking game two 14-6 - to improve to 8-10 on the season.
Game 1: Lakeland 17, Lorain County 3
Freshman Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) led the Lakers offensively after going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI. Sophomore Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) went 2-for-3, driving in three and scoring a pair herself while freshman Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) added three RBIs.
Freshman Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) drove in three with her only hit of the afternoon while also picking up the win in the circle. Fitzgerald allowed three runs on three hits and struck out three to improve to 4-4 on the season. Liz Shull (Willoughby, Ohio / Lake Catholic) tossed two innings of scoreless relief in the win.
Game 2: Lakeland 14, Lorain County 6
Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 4-for-5 batting the leadoff spot to pace the Lakers to a big win in game two. Moorman came within a homerun of hitting for the cycle while driving in three and scoring three runs.
Amanda Walsh drove in a career-high five runs and scored twice while Kara Fitzgerald recorded two RBI and two runs in the victory.
Katie Payne (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) also went 3-for-5 at the dish, helping the first three hitters for Lakeland go a combined 10-for-15 in the nightcap.
Fitzgerald picked up her second win of the day to improve to 5-4 on the year after tossing five shutout innings in relief.
The Lakers have won five of their last seven games and will travel to Walsh University on Friday (April 6) for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Michalak and Balanced Offense Lead Express Softball Past Cuyahoga In OCCAC Opener
Ashlyn Michalak dominated Cuyahoga batters in the first game, while the No. 9 Express offense took over in the second game as Owens swept Cuyahoga 2-0 and 10-2 in the OCCAC opener for the Express.
Game 1: Owens 2 Cuyahoga 0
Ashlyn Michalak allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out 12 in a 2-0 win for the Express.
Melanie Iacoangeli's speed helped the Express take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The freshman leadoff hitter singled to short, stole second and third, and scored on a single from Sydney Barron.
In the sixth, the Express added an unearned run to complete the game's scoring.
Tabitha Britt and Olivia Reeder each had two hits for the Express, while Barron was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Iacoangeli finished 1-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases.
With the win, Michalak moves to 7-0. It is also her seventh complete game of the season.
WP: Michalak, LP: Albright, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (1-4, R, 2 SB)
Game 2: Owens 10 Cuyahoga 2
Britt, Katie Butler, Amanda Sinay, Iacoangeli and Hallie Thompson each had two hits for the Express as the offense led the way in a 10-2 win in the second game.
In the first, Owens took a 4-0 lead as Barron hit a sacrifice fly, Butler had an RBI single to left field and Iacoangeli had a two-run single.
In the second, Cuyahoga scored twice off Express starter Kasey Graham to make it 4-2. The Express offense, however, would score twice in each of the next three innings to close out Cuyahoga.
In the third, the inning was highlighted by an RBI double from Thompson. In the fourth, Butler had an RBI triple to left field and Sinay had a sacrifice fly to center.
In the fifth, Iacoangeli singled, stole second and scored on an RBI triple from Thompson, who would later score on a passed ball to make it 10-2.
Graham (4-0) pitched the first three innings to pick up the win. She allowed six hits, two runs (one earned) and one walk. Lexi Sheets pitched the final two innings and allowed two hits while striking out two.
Britt, who was 2-for-4 with a run in the second game, finished the day 4-for-8 with a run. Other offensive leaders in the second game included: Butler (2-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBIs), Sinay (2-2, 2 R, RBI), Iacoangeli (2-3, R, 2 RBI, 3 SB), and Thompson (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBIs, 2B, 3B).
WP: Graham, LP: Coyle, Offensive Leader: Iacoangeli (2-3, R, 2 RBI, 3 SB)
Notes
The No. 9 Express are now 15-1 overall and 2-0 in the OCCAC. They are now off until April 10 when they take on Grand Rapids CC beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Iacoangeli stole five bases in the doubleheader and is leading the team with 16 steals in 18 attempts. She is now leading the team in batting average among regulars with a .474 average and is tied for the team lead with 17 runs.
Michalak now has a 0.51 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched. She has allowed only 33 hits, nine walks and four earned runs this year.
Ruch Closes Out Cuyahoga As Express Baseball Salvage Split
Clayton Ruch picked up his fifth save, while Daniel Heatherly had a fine offensive day, as the Express got a come from behind win to salvage a split with Cuyahoga CC on Friday.
Game 1: Cuyahoga 5 Owens 3
Despite a nice offensive performance from Nate Manis, the Express dropped a 5-3 decision to Cuyahoga in the first game.
Express starter Chris Ward gave up two runs in the first inning, but struck out the final batter to strand the bases loaded.
Manis then singled on a bunt to lead off the bottom half. After stealing second, he scored on an RBI single from Myles Debol to pull the Express within one.
In the third, with Cuyahoga up 3-1, Manis doubled with two outs and scored on an single from Ryan Horvath to pull the Express back within one.
Cuyahoga, however, would score single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-2 lead.
In the seventh, the Express almost rallied back. Heatherly doubled to lead off the inning before Nick Collins tripled him home to make it 5-3. However, Michael Louis lined out to third before Travis Tackett struck out and Logan Shullick flew out to left to end the threat.
Ward (1-2) took the loss, while Jordan Musser got the complete game win for Cuyahoga. Ward's final line included six innings, nine hits, five runs (four earned), three walks and nine strikeouts.
Dane Davis pitched the seventh for the Express and allowed one hit while striking out one.
Manis finished 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base.
WP: Musser, LP: Ward, Offensive Leader: Manis (2-3, 2 R, SB)
Game 2: Owens 9 Cuyahoga 8
Trailing 6-1 entering the bottom half of the fourth inning, the Express scored eight runs over the next three innings to steal a victory as Jesse Castilleja picked up the win in relief.
After Express starter Garrett Scott gave up a run in the top half of the first, Ryan Horvath's two out bunt single down the third base line scored Manis, who led off the inning with a hit by pitch.
Cuyahoga then scored two in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth to take their 6-1 lead.
Horvath led off with the Express half of the fourth with a double. He would score one batter later on an single by Heatherly, who would later score on an errant pick off throw from Cuyahoga's pitcher.
Down 6-3 entering the fifth, the Express pulled to within one in the fifth. Debol doubled to lead off the inning. Two outs later, still on second, Debol scored on another RBI single from Heatherly. After Heatherly stole second, Collins singled him home.
Castilleja, who relieved Scott with one out in the fifth, allowed one run in the sixth to make it 7-5.
Then, in the bottom half, a four run rally completed the comeback for the Express. With the first five batters reaching, the rally was started with a walk from James Moore Jr., who then scored on a double from Manis to pull the Express within one.
Following back-to-back walks by Louis and Debol, a balk moved runners to second and third. Ryan Hotmer then hit a two-run double to deep right center that gave the Express an 8-7 lead. An errant throw on a sacrifice bunt would later score Hotmer to make it 9-7.
Ruch then relieved Castilleja to begin the seventh. With two outs, Ruch made a bad throw to first on a bunt, and the runner advanced to third. Following an RBI single that brought Cuyahoga within one, Ruch induced a 4-3 groundout to end the game.
Scott's final line included 4.1 innings, eight hits, six runs, four walks and one strikeout. Castilleja, who moved to 1-1 with the win, allowed two hits, one run and zero walks with one strikeout in 1.2 innings.
Mark Rauschenbach picked up the loss in relief for Cuyahoga.
Heatherly finished 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base, while Horvath was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base. Hotmer added a 1-for-3, one run and two RBI performance, while Debol scored two runs.
WP: Castilleja, LP: Rauschenbach, SV: Ruch, Offensive Leader: Heatherly (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBIs, SB)
Notes
The Express (12-19, 6-4 OCCAC) will take on Cuyahoga (12-14, 3-6 OCCAC) on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 5
Sinclair Pride Baseball Splits Series with Vincennes University
He said he never thought he was going to make it home again.
Dan Jensen wasn’t talking about tonight’s season opener when he becomes the first local ballplayer to suit up for the Dayton Dragons.
He was remembering that summer night nearly five years ago when — losing a vast amount of blood and close to death — he had been rushed by rescue squad from his Centerville home to Kettering Medical Center.
“When we got to the hospital, we were waiting for the vascular surgeon and I was kind of passing out and choking on the blood, so my mom was holding my head up,” Jensen said. “The week before we had just put my dog to sleep and I had held her head. I remembered how I had felt the weight of her head when she died.
“And now my mom had my head and I was trying to get her out of the room because I didn’t want her to feel me die.”
In so many ways now, Jensen’s story is one of beating the odds.
Although he was a 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher with some impressive statistics when he graduated from Centerville High School in 2007, he was one of the younger kids in his class, was still learning how to pitch and consequently received almost no interest from college baseball programs.
He said Wright State hadn’t recruited him and although the University of Dayton did offer him a spot on its fall roster, it couldn’t guarantee him anything after that and he couldn’t afford paying his own way to the school.
No other school made an overture, so he figured his baseball days might be done.
And then Steve Dintaman, who had just taken over the Sinclair Community College program, made a late offer.
But just before joining the Tartans program, Jensen found out he needed to get his tonsils removed. Yet what should have been a routine procedure turned into a life-and-death situation after his left carotid artery was nicked during the surgery.
Although that caused a serious bleed during the tonsillectomy, the surgeon was able to patch the artery.
Four days later Jensen said he was at home and seemed to be healing fine until the scab fell off the repaired area, the artery expanded and he began to bleed profusely again. He returned to the hospital and though he said he lost nearly 50 percent of his blood, the repair was made again.
Then five nights later came what Phil Jensen, Dan’s dad, called “every parent’s nightmare.”
Dan said it was about 3 a.m. He was on the couch downstairs, his parents asleep upstairs:
“I started bleeding really badly and I couldn’t yell or talk, nothing, I was choking on my blood. I had my phone and luckily the last person I had called that night was my dad so I just hit SEND ... SEND and hoped he might hear the ringing.
“I’d kind of escaped death the first time, but this time thought it’d be a miracle if I even woke up. I tried to make it to the bathroom, but I was bleeding so much and kept passing out and that’s where my parents found me.”
Wednesday night, Phil recalled that traumatic discovery:
“Because of what happened, I was on edge already and probably was only half asleep. By the time we got downstairs the situation was so advanced we knew it was just a matter of minutes and we needed help immediately.”
The 9-1-1 call was made and Dan, who would end up losing over 70 percent of his blood, said “the next thing I know I’m on a stretcher in an ambulance and I’m hearing the EMT guy say, ‘Hit the lights and step on it.’ They had two IVs in each of my arms and they were squeezing blood in as fast as they could.”
This time the surgeon cut open the side of his neck and completely tied off the left carotid with silk. The right carotid was fine and it would have to take on the extra workload.
Although his life was saved, Jensen’s recovery was just beginning. He wasn’t ready to attend college classes, much less try to throw a fastball.
“I even had to sit down to take a shower. I just couldn’t stand,” he said. “I had gone in the hospital at 225 (pounds) and come out at 165. I had to go back to square one for a lot of things.”
When school began at Sinclair, his parents initially sat in on his classes to take notes and explain to professors where he was. Both Dan and his dad say one of his biggest champions was Dintaman.
“I can’t say enough about him,” Phil said. “He’s not only a good coach, but just an all-around good person. He cares deeply about all his players and it really showed with Dan. He did everything he could for him and today we consider Steve a great family friend.”
Jensen not only built himself back up, but began to develop more as a pitcher under Dintaman’s tutelage and, after a year, he ended up getting an offer from the University of Cincinnati.
He pitched three years for the Bearcats and senior season he led the team with a 3.11 earned-run average and 87 strikeouts. Last June, when the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 20th round of the draft, Jensen said it was a dream come true. He had grown up following the Reds and going to their games.
He spent last summer playing Rookie League ball in Billings, Mont., and was brought up for one week to the Reds’ high-A team in Bakersfield, Calif., to fill in for an injured player.
His coming home to Dayton this year is “awesome,” according to him and “kind of surreal” if you listen to his dad.
“Over the years I’ve probably been to 25 or 30 Dragons games,” Jensen said as he sat in the team’s dugout Wednesday. “I sat out there in the outfield grass, up in the boxes, behind home plate. I’ve gotten foul balls and when they let kids come down and run the bases, I did that. I got my picture taken with Heater, too.”
He talked about standing along the railing near the same Dragons bullpen he’ll now man and reaching out, hoping the ballplayers would slap palms or flip him a ball or just acknowledge him:
“To me back then that was like meeting a major leaguer.”
As for what could happen tonight or whenever he’s called to the Dragons mound for the first time, he thought about it and then smiled:
“I’ve been playing that through my head countless times every day. I know the place will be sold out, there’ll be people here I grew up with, played ball with and there’ll be family and lots of friends. It’s the kind of moment we’re all here for, but I know there’ll be some nerves and some butterflies ... and my blood will be pumping.”
But these days that’s a good thing.
In so many ways, he’s beaten the odds.
He did make it home again.
Wednesday, April 4
Sinclair Pride Baseball Splits Series with Vincennes University
Game 1 - Vincennes 11 Sinclair 10
Once again Sinclair’s offense started off quick. Matt Sullivan crushed a drive to deep right field that would end up scoring one on the play. Sinclair would not make a big impact on the scoreboard again until 5th inning. They would end up putting 4 runs on the scoreboard with the biggest being a hit from Mike Maddle a line drive into left field. Sinclair’s rally would end up coming short as 19 hits would not be enough.
LP: TJ Teats 2.2IP 9H 9ER 3K’s
Offensive Leaders: Kyle Vander Ark 4-5 1RBI, Austin Downing 2-4 2RBI’s
Game 2- Sinclair 7 Vincennes 2
The Pride didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard as they put up three runs in the first inning alone by the way of two walks to start of the game. Sinclair would end up putting another run onto their lead in the 7th inning with a clutch hit by Darwin Argumedo scoring Joe Ford on the play.
WP: Matt Kruzel 4IP 2H 2ER 4K's
S: Colby Clark 3IP 1H 1K
Offensive Leaders: Darwin Argumedo 4-5 3RBI’s, Kyle Vander Ark 2-4 1 RBI
Express Baseball Sweep Doubleheader From Adrian College JV
In a long doubleheader, James Moore Jr.'s two-run double in the bottom half of the sixth inning of game two capped an Express comeback win and a doubleheader sweep of Adrian College's JV team Wednesday.
Game 1: Owens 14 Adrian College JV 7
Clayton Ruch, Austin Legate, Trevor Ozenbaugh and Michael Louis carried the Express offense to a 14-7 win in the first game.
Through the first one and a half innings, Adrian College had a 3-0 lead. The Express then cut the deficit to one with a two-run second. Moore and Logan Shullick walked to lead off the inning. Moore would later score on a sacrifice fly by Ozenbaugh, while Shullick scored on an RBI single by Austin Legate.
Adrian College would add a single run in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead, but the Express offense exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning to seize control of the game. Louis highlighted the inning with a leadoff double and a two-run home run as the Express sent 13 batters to the plate. All nine batters scored a run in the inning except Legate, who executed a sacrifice bunt.
In all, the Express had seven hits, two walks, and one hit batter in that fifth inning. Of those seven hits, four were of the extra base variety.
After their big inning, the Express allowed three runs in the top half of the sixth inning to trim their lead down to four. However, the Express answered right back with three more in the bottom half.
Shullick walked and advanced to third on an errant pick off throw before Ozenbaugh knocked him home with a single. Legate then singled to third to put runners on first and second. Ruch then doubled home Ozenbaugh before Nate Manis had a fielder's choice RBI groundout.
Dane Davis then retired Adrian in order in the seventh to end the game. Alex Juday (1-1) started for the Express and went the first five innings to pick up his first win as a member of the Express. He allowed five hits, four runs and two walks while striking out five.
Aaron Peoples allowed the three runs in the sixth inning, but all three were unearned. He struck out three in the inning.
Ruch finished 3-for-4 with three doubles, three RBIs, and one run, Ozenbaugh was 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs, Louis was 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, and Legate was 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
Those four players combined to hit 10-for-15 with six runs and 10 RBIs.
WP: Juday, LP: Sims, Offensive Leader: Ozenbaugh (2-3, 2 R, 4 RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 5 Adrian College JV 3
Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom half of the sixth inning, the Express scored four runs to steal a victory from Adrian College.
Adrian took a 3-0 lead in the top half of the third when the first four runners reached off Express starter Adam Jones. Jesse Castilleja relieved him at that point and got a lineout to center, a groundout to first and a strikeout looking to control the damage.
Travis Tackett then led off the bottom half with a walk. Manis came in as a courtesy runner and stole second and third before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Horvath to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Neither team then scored until the four run sixth for the Express. In fact, only two runners combined for both teams reached in the fourth and fifth innings.
In the sixth, Horvath placed a perfect bunt single down the third base line before Louis did the same thing, but to the right side of the infield. Myles Debol then walked to load the bases. Manis then pinch hit for Ryan Hotmer and lined an opposite field RBI single to left to make it 3-2.
Following Manis, Moore came up and did the same thing, but hit it up the gap for a two-run double that put the Express up 4-3. Tackett would later add a sacrifice fly to make close the scoring for the inning.
Daniel Heatherly allowed a single in the seventh, but struck out the other three batters to pick up his second save.
The final line for Jones included two innings, two hits, three runs, three walks and five strikeouts. Castilleja's line included two innings, zero hits and walks, and four strikeouts. Jeff Davis pitched the fifth and sixth innings to pick up the win. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two.
Moore finished 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs, while Louis was 2-for-3 with a run. Horvath added a 1-for-2, one run and one RBI performance.
WP: J. Davis, LP: Richardson, Offensive Leader: Moore (1-3, R, GW 2 RBIs)
Notes
Express pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts of Adrian hitters in the second game. Additionally, they struck out 10 in the first game as 24 of the day's 42 Adrian College outs came via strikeout.
The Express will continue OCCAC play this weekend at home against Cuyahoga Community College. The two teams will play at 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
After starting the season 5-18, the Express have now won six in a row. They swept the season series from Adrian College after sweeping a doubleheader from them on March 21.
Tuesday, April 3
Graham Posts Two Hit Shutout As Express Softball Sweeps Tiffin JV
Kasey Graham pitched a two-hitter to close out another doubleheader sweep for the Express softball team as they defeated Tiffin University JV 4-2 and 10-0 Tuesday afternoon.
Game 1: Owens 4 Tiffin JV 2
The Express got four runs in the first two innings, and it lasted, as the Express pitching duo of Ashlyn Michalak and Lexi Sheets kept the Tiffin offense quiet for the most part.
In the first inning, Melanie Iacoangeli doubled down the left field line, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Sydney Barron.
Then, in the second, the Express scored three more. Hannah Morrison doubled to left center leading off. After a groundout, Mareshah Scott singled to put runners on first and third. Hallie Thompson then doubled to centerfield to score Morrison and put runners on second and third. Following a walk by Iacoangeli, Tabitha Britt hit a two-run double to left field that scored Scott and Thompson.
Michalak started for the Express and went the first three innings. She allowed one hit and two walks while striking out four in the no decision. Sheets (4-1), who started the fourth inning, picked up the win in relief as she allowed three hits, two runs (one earned), and one walk while striking out two.
Britt finished 2-for-3 with two runs and a double, while Thompson was 2-for-3 with a double, one run scored and an RBI. Mareshah Scott, who finished 1-for-3 with a run scored, added the lone stolen base for the Express.
Game 2: Owens 10 Tiffin JV 0
Graham dominated in the circle, while the Express offense scored five runs in the fifth inning to close out a 10-0, five inning win.
Owens opened with two runs in the first when Britt singled and Barron walked with one out to set up a two-out, two run double by Morrison.
In the second, the Express added three more. Scott singled to second base leading off. One out later, Michelle Hollister doubled her home to make it 3-0. The next batter, Iacoangeli, singled home Hollister to make it 4-0. On the single by Iacoangeli, a throwing error allowed her to move to third. She would then score on another error to make it 5-0.
Meanwhile, Graham was dealing. After retiring the side in order in the first, she allowed a single before an error put runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to third, but it wasn't a problem for Graham as she struck the next two batters out to end the inning. She would allow only two more base runners the rest of the game – one on a single and another on an error.
In five innings, Graham allowed two hits while striking out five. She moved to 3-0 this year with the win and lowered her season ERA to 1.64. Of the 15 outs she recorded, nine came on ground balls, five came on strikeouts and only one came in the air – an infield pop out to third that ended the game.
The Express also took advantage of a sloppy Tiffin defense that had five errors. Those errors produced six unearned runs, including all five in the fifth. In that fifth inning, the Express had three walks and two hits. RBIs came from Hollister on a bases loaded walk, Iacoangeli on a single through the right side, and Katie Butler on a sacrifice fly. Owens sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning.
Iacoangeli led the offense in the second game as she finished 3-for-4 with two runs, one RBI and a stolen base. Other top performers included: Morrison, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, Britt, who went 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base, and Hollister, who was 1-for-2 with two runs, two RBIs, one double and a walk.
As a team, the Express offense went 9-for-26 with seven RBIs, two doubles, three stolen bases and five walks.
The top two batters in the Express lineup, Iacoangeli and Britt, reached base in seven of their eight plate appearances.
Notes
Britt was 4-for-6 with a run and three RBIs in the two games, while Morrison was 3-for-7 with a run and two RBIs. Iacoangeli was 4-for-5 with three runs and one RBI.
Express pitching has only allowed 20 earned runs in 15 games this year. One of those 15 games is suspended and will be resumed later.
With the two wins against Tiffin, the Express are now 13-1 overall. They are scheduled to open conference play on the road Wednesday against Cuyahoga Community College.
Monday, April 2
Sinclair Win's Baseball Series With Cuyahoga, Takes Three out of Four
The Pride took three out of four again this weekend in OCCAC play but failed to put together a sweep over Cuyahoga. With the wins, Sinclair moves to 6-2 in the OCCAC and has the early lead in the conference.
Game 1 - Final Score: Sinclair 1 Cuyahoga 0
The Sinclair offense struggled in the first game of the series but Jon Thacker put the team on his back tossing a complete game shutout. The only run of the game was scored off the bat of Joe Ford, who had three hits on the day. Ford hit a frozen rope to the shortstop who was unable to make the play scoring Nick McGill in the 5th.
WP: Jon Thacker (3-0) 7IP CG 5H 0ER 8K's
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 3-3 RBI, Matt Sullivan 1-2 BB 3B.
Game 2 - Final Score: Sinclair 13 Cuyahoga 5
Six extra-base hits on a dozen hits propelled the Pride to a big win in the second game. Cuyahoga matched Sinclair early on but was held in check once reliever Brock Trimbur entered the game. Sinclair did not lose one inning the entire game and cruised to victory.
WP: Brock Trimbur (4-0) 3.1IP 2H 0ER 3K's
Offensive Leaders: Austin Downing 4-4 3RS 2B 2 RBI's, Drew Williams 3-3 3RS 2B HR 3 RBI's, Matt Sullivan 1-3 2B 3 RBI's, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 2B 2 RBI's.
Game 3 - Final Score: Sinclair 5 Cuyahoga 4
Two pitches into the third game, Cuyahoga had a 1-0 lead. Starter Stephen Holland hit the first batter of the game and then threw a sacrifice bunt into the outfield that plated the first run of the game. Tri-C added another to extend the lead to 2-0. Offensively, Sinclair had a lot of chances early but didn't cash in until Darwin Argumedo singled in two in the 4th. Argumedo was "En Fuego" all weekend and had three multi-hit games. Sinclair took a 4-2 lead into the six inning when Cuyahoga chased starter Stephen Holland out of the game. Matt Kruzel came into the game with bases loaded and one out and he walked the first batter he faced, tying the game at four. Then Kruzel got a infield pop-up and a groundball out to end the threat. In the bottom of the 7th, Matt Sullivan laced a single up the middle and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt from Kyle Vander Ark. The hot hitting Argumedo hit a groundball to third and the throw sailed over the first basemen scoring Sullivan for the win.
WP: Matt Kruzel (3-0) 1.2IP 1H 1K
Offensive Leaders: Joe Ford 1-2 SAC BB, Austin Downing 1-2 RS SAC BB, Drew Williams 2-4 2RS RBI, Matt Sullivan 2-3 2RS BB, Kyle Vander Ark 1-1 3 SAC's, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 3RBI's, Jon Lowe 1-2 BB.
Game 4 - Final Score: Cuyahoga 5 Sinclair 3
Sloppy play and missed opportunities were the story of the final game. Pride starter Corey Johnson gave another strong performance on the mound only allowing one earned run in six innings pitched. With the game tied at three, Sinclair had the winning run in scoring position in the 6th, 8th, and 9th innings but couldn't get it done. Tri-C eventually broke the tie in the 10th with a two out single to right that scored two.
LP: Ryan Carter (0-1) 3.2IP H 2ER 6K's
Offensive Leaders: Dan Lawrence 1-3 RS BB, Matt Sullivan 1-3 2RS, Darwin Argumedo 2-4 2RBI's, Taylor Neal 1-3 BB, Drew Williams 1-1.
Express Baseball Sweeps Lakeland, Moves Into Second Place In OCCAC
Jordan Basinger came within one out of a no-hitter as the Express swept Lakeland Community College to move into sole possession of second place in the OCCAC.
Game 1: Owens 4 Lakeland 1
Lakeland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but it would be their only scoring of the game as a trio of Express pitchers shut down Lakeland from there.
In the second inning, the Express took a 2-1 lead on RBI singles from Nick Collins and James Moore Jr. Collins was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
In the second and third innings, Express starter Garrett Scott worked out of jams to keep the game close. Sean Koerber relieved him to begin the fourth and retired the side in order.
Then, in the bottom half, the Express scored twice more on a two out, two-run single by Michael Louis. Koerber then held Lakeland scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings.
Clayton Ruch took over for Koerber in the seventh. He allowed a single and a walk, but struck out two to end the game and pick up his fourth save.
Scott's final line included three innings, three hits, one run and two walks. Koerber (2-2), who was credited with the win, also pitched three innings and allowed only two hits while striking out two.
Moore and Horvath each had two hits for the Express. Moore finished 2-for-3 with a run, one RBI and a stolen base, while Horvath finished 2-for-3. Louis was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
Gabe Goldsberry picked up a complete game loss for Lakeland. He allowed 10 hits, four runs and one walk while striking out six.
As a team, the Express were 10-for-26 offensively with a walk and four stolen bases.
WP: Koerber (2-2), LP: Goldsberry, Offensive leader: Moore: 2-3, R, RBI, SB
Game 2: Owens 5 Lakeland 1
Basinger lost a no-hitter and a shutout with two outs in the seventh inning, but the Express picked up another solid win, 5-1.
With a runner on second, Lakeland's Jordan Pratt doubled past Daniel Heatherly in left field to score Todd Queener and ruin the no-hit bid.
Basinger was dominant against Lakeland. He retired the first seven batters he faced. Prior to the seventh inning, the only batters that reached came on two errors and a wild pitch on a strikeout. He finished with nine strikeouts and one walk.
While Basinger was dealing, the Express offense had threats in every inning except the third. In the first, Nate Manis walked and scored on a wild pitch prior to an RBI single by Heatherly. The Express stranded the bases loaded, but took a 2-0 lead through one.
In the second, Moore led off with a walk and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Myles Debol.
In the fourth, Travis Tackett led off with a double, Moore walked, and Manis singled on a bunt to load the bases. Horvath and Debol then had back-to-back RBI singles to put the Express up 5-0.
Manis, Horvath and Debol combined to go 5-for-7 with two runs, three RBIs, four walks and one stolen base. Debol was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks, while Horvath was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base.
As a team, the Express finished 7-for-22 with a double, nine walks and three stolen bases.
With the win, Basinger moved to 1-1 this season, while Anthony Labondano took the loss for Lakeland. He went the first five innings and allowed seven hits, five runs, seven walks and three wild pitches while striking out seven.
WP: Basinger (1-1), LP: Labondano, Offensive Leader: Debol (2-2, 2 RBIs, 2 BB)
Notes
The Express moved to 9-18 overall, but 5-3 in the OCCAC, which is good for solo possession of second place behind Sinclair Community College. Lakeland falls to 11-13 overall and 3-5 in the OCCAC.
The four-game winning streak for the Express is a season high.
Owens is scheduled to resume action this Wednesday at home against Adrian College at 3 p.m. It will be a doubleheader.
Sunday, April 1
Express Sweep Crucial OCCAC Doubleheader From Lakeland, But Lose Sickler
Strong pitching by Chris Ward and Andrew Joseph helped the Express baseball team pick up two big conference wins today, but the Express lost their reigning All-Region XII sophomore infielder Joe Sickler to injury in the process.
Game 1: Owens 4 Lakeland 3 (9 innings)
Daniel Heatherly's eighth inning RBI single tied the game at three, while Nate Manis scored the game winning, walk-off run in the ninth inning to give the Express a 4-3 win in extra innings.
Ward started for the Express and cruised for much of the game. After allowing a two-run first inning on three hits and a walk, he retired 16 of the next 18 batters he faced and produced an individual team-high 12 strikeouts.
Down 2-0, the Express cut their deficit to one in the bottom of the first when Manis walked, stole second, and later scored on RBI groundout by Ryan Hotmer.
In the third, back-to-back-to-back singles by Ryan Horvath, Myles Debol and Hotmer tied the game at two. Then, from the fourth through the sixth innings, Ward retired all nine batters he faced, while striking out seven of them.
In the seventh, Lakeland put runners on first and third with one out off Ward, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat.
In the eighth, Ward allowed one run, but averted major damage. After allowing two singles and a hit batter, he induced a 6-3 double play and a 4-3 groundout.
Then, in the bottom half, Hotmer led off with a single to center field. Sickler then sacrificed Michael Louis, who pinch ran for Hotmer, to second. Two batters later, Heatherly singled through the left side to score Louis and tie the game.
After Sean Koerber relieved Ward in the ninth and retired the Lakeland offense in order, Manis led off the bottom half with a bunt single, advanced all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Horvath, and scored on a wild pitch to give the Express a 4-3 win.
Ward's final line included eight innings, nine hits, three runs, one walk, one hit batter and 12 strikeouts. He allowed only one extra base hit. Koerber (1-2) was credited with the win.
Hotmer went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Nick Collins was 2-for-3 with a triple for the Express. Manis finished 1-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases.
Matt Palko started for Lakeland and, like Ward, also went the first eight innings. Mason Wisner relieved him to begin the ninth and took the loss.
WP: Koerber (1-2), LP: Wisner, Offensive Leader: Hotmer (2-4, two RBIs)
Game 2: Owens 6 Lakeland 3
Joseph pitched six solid innings, while Hotmer had another big game offensively as the Express won 6-3.
Lakeland took a 1-0 lead off Joseph in the third inning on an unearned run.
Then, in the fourth, with a runner on first and one out, Lakeland's Mason Wisner grounded a ball to Manis at short, who threw to Sickler at second to start a double play. However, Lakeland's Wil Shortreed slid hard into second and injured Sickler while he was attempting the throw to first. The umpire ruled Wisner out on the play due to interference from Shortreed.
With one of their sophomore leaders down, the Express offense kicked into gear in the bottom half of the fourth. With two outs, Debol walked and Hotmer singled to left center. Louis, who entered for Sickler, and Collins then produced back-to-back RBI singles to give the Express a 2-1 lead.
After Joseph held Lakeland scoreless in the top half of the fifth, the Express added four more in the bottom half.
Austin Legate singled to lead off. After Trevor Ozenbaugh came in as a courtesy runner, James Moore Jr. walked to put runners on first and second. Nate Manis then singled on a two-strike bunt down the third base line to load the bases.
Following a passed ball that advanced all three runners and gave the Express a 4-2 lead, Horvath hit a sacrifice fly to center to scored Moore and make it 5-2. Then, with Debol at bat, Manis stole third. On the play at third, tempers flared due to a close play. Three players, including Manis and Shortreed were ejected.
Ozenbaugh then came in as a pinch runner for Manis. After Debol was hit by a pitch, Hotmer lined a two-run double to deep left center to score both runners and give the Express a 6-1 lead.
In the sixth, Joseph struck out the first two batters. The third batter hit a fly ball to left that was misplayed into a triple. Two more hits followed, and the Express lead was cut to three.
In the seventh, Dane Davis relieved Joseph to begin the inning. After a walk and a throwing error, Clayton Ruch relieved Davis on the mound. Ruch induced a 4-3 double play prior to striking out the final batter to end the game.
Joseph (1-3) was credited with the win. He allowed five hits, three runs (two earned) and one walk while striking out six over six innings. Ruch picked up his third save of the season.
John Gora, who entered the game 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA, went the distance for Lakeland and picked up his first loss. Despite retiring the first 11 batters of the game, his final line included six hits, six runs and four walks while striking out six over six innings.
Hotmer finished 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs to lead the Express offense. He was the only player with two hits, while Manis, Louis, Collins and Legate also picked up one hit each.
Notes
Owens moves to 7-18 overall and 3-3 in the OCCAC with the doubleheader sweep, while Lakeland falls to 11-11 overall and 3-3 in the OCCAC.
Hotmer finished the day 4-for-7 with a run and four RBIs. He is now leading the team with a .355 average. Manis is now hitting .303 and is second on the team in average among regulars.
The severity of Sickler's injury is unknown at this time.