MARIETTA, Ohio - The Mount Union Purple Raiders took the 2013 OAC Tournament by storm and ended their journey with a win in the Championship Round Saturday night at Don Schaly Stadium. Mount Union triumphed in a 5-4 win over Otterbein University to clinch their second ever OAC Tournament title and their first since 1970.
The win takes the Purple Raiders to 23-16 on the season and more importantly into the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament. The appearance will be the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for Mount Union.
Mount Union held true to its form in this game. The Purple Raiders won their first round game, Thursday, over the Blue Streaks of John Carroll University. The Purple Raiders put up a six-spot in the 8th inning to take the lead and win the ball game. The second win for Mount Union came on a walk-off home run against Otterbein.
"Well we kept ourselves in the game, minimized damage, giving us a chance to win at the end," Mount Union head coach Paul Hesse said. "That has been the formula all through this tournament."
Two pitchers for the Purple Raiders earned All-Tournament Team honors. Gino Ceriani started the championship game but did not get the decision, threw six innings of three run, five hit baseball. Ceriani walked four and punched out three. Ryan Sason (5-0) picked up the win pitching two innings of no hit baseball walking two and striking out two.
Mount Union used late inning drama, again, on Saturday evening. The game was tied heading into the home half of the 8th inning and Mount Union started a two-out rally when C.J. Stotler singled through the right side of the Otterbein infield. Ben Atkinson was sent to pinch run and scored when Dick Fishbaugh Tournament MVP Ricky Olasz tripled into left-center field. Olasz scored later in the inning on a Scott Sherwood single.
"He did a tremendous job," said Hesse speaking of Olasz. "I had a talk with him before the season. I told him 'you should be the best player on this team'."
Mount Union jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. Sherwood singled to lead off the game, advanced on an error, and scored on a Connor Mathis groundout. The score stood until the home half of the fourth inning when Mount Union struck again. Anthony Morino was hit by a pitch and All-Tournament Team member Justin Jakubik reached on an error. One batter later, Olasz singled in both to extend the lead to 3-0.
Otterbein (26-16) responded in the next half inning plating three runs. Jimmy Waterwash walked to lead off the inning. Two batters later All-Tournament Team member Billy Harkenrider doubled down the left field line setting up fellow All-Tournament honoree Wes Meadows to single up the middle and record a pair of RBIs. Meadows was knocked in on yet another All-Tournament Team member Sean Kettering's single to center field.
It stood tied until the 8th inning when Mount Union pushed two runs across the dish to take the lead for good. Otterbein did score once in the ninth inning but it would not be enough.
2013 Ohio Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team
2B Sean Mohney, Mount Union
SS Sean Kettering, Otterbein
SS Lee Grosscup, Mount Union
OF Ricky Olasz, Mount Union
OF Mitch Geers, Marietta
OF Billy Harkenrider, Otterbein
DH Aaron Miller, John Carroll
UTL Wes Meadows, Otterbein
UTL Chris Winpigler, Marietta
P David Cydrus, Otterbein
P Ryan Sason, Mount Union
P Gino Ceriani, Mount Union
Dick Fishbaugh Most Valuable Player
Ricky Olasz, Mount Union
