WOOSTER, Ohio – Junior first baseman Ryan Kramer roped a game-tying double off the base of the fence in right in the sixth inning of The College of Wooster baseball team's 5-4 Sunday afternoon win over Bethany College at Art Murray Field.
Wooster, which scored its 20th win (20-13) of the year struck for three runs in the sixth inning. Junior catcher Nathaniel Huxtable was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and senior third baseman Nick Pett joined him on the bases with a walk. Kramer's double was followed by a single off the bat of senior center fielder Leo Widtmann that made it 4-3.
Huxtable added to the lead with a triple in the seventh inning. The three-bagger followed a double down the right field line from first-year shortstop Luke Rizzo.
Wooster clamped down in the eighth inning to preserve a one-run lead after Bethany loaded the bases. Senior right-hander Alex Gerdenich painted the outside corner for a called third strike on a payoff pitch to strand three Bison on the bases and get the Fighting Scots out of the eighth inning.
Fine defense got Wooster over the finish line of Sunday's win. First-year Maanav Bhatt ranged well to his right on a grounder off the bat of Jaden Nestor-Fox, and Kramer dug the throw off the turf for the second out of the ninth inning. Gerdenich then found a little extra to blow a 3-2 pitch by a swinging Gian DeGenova for the final out of the game.
Wooster's first run came in the first inning when Widtmann plated Pett on a sacrifice fly.
Bethany (10-23) took the lead in the third inning. The Bison's big play was an usual one. Nestor-Fox's half swing grounder was fielded by Kramer, who went for the lead runner at the plate. The throw was a little high, resulting in a second Bethany runner scoring on the play.
Thomas Gfell earned the senior day start and allowed three runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings. Junior Tahj Orona did not have a run on his line of 1 1/3 innings, nor did sophomore Ben Tarpey in his two innings of work. Tarpey ran his record to 1-1, while Gerdenich earned his second save.
Kramer led the lineup, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run. Rizzo was the other Scot with multiple hits on the day.
Zach Moenart went 5 2/3 innings for Bethany and allowed three runs on five hits. Jojo Aguon went to 0-2 after allowing two runs on four hits in relief.
Bethany's lineup was led by a 2-for-5 performance from DeGenova. Both of his hits were doubles.
Prior to the game, Wooster recognized its seven-member senior class consisting of Ben Carroll, Gerdenich, Gfell, Andy Heintz, Bryn Langley, Pett, and Widtmann.
Next, Wooster (9-3 North Coast Athletic Conference) hosts Hiram College (12-19-1, 4-7 NCAC) at noon on Tuesday, April 29.
