ShawneeState (7-6) fell to the visiting Cavaliers from Walsh University (1-2) 13-5 in the final game of a weekend that showcased three teams and five games. The Bears were plagued by mental errors as they could not get overcome their mistakes falling in the finale.
Walsh got on the board first scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. The Cavaliers hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. Drew Link, who went 6-for-6 on the day, scored on a fielder's choice RBI by Forest Boggs, bringing Steve Wido to the plate. Wido reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Tim Stinson to give Walsh the 2-0 advantage.
Shawnee State answered with two runs in the first inning. Freshman Cody Spires (Lancaster, OH) reached on a walk to lead off the inning. An RBI double by junior Adam Wamsley (Wheelersburg, OH) scored Spires and Wamsley then scored on a wild pitch by Travis Danner knotting the game at 2-2.
The Cavaliers struck again in the top of the third scoring two runs on two hits. Wido doubled in the inning after Boggs was hit by a pitch. Both scored on unearned runs after errors by the Bears defense.
With Walsh leading 4-2 the Cavaliers extended their lead to 7-2 in the top of the fourth after a three run, three hit inning. Walsh then would score five more funs on four hits in the top of the fifth to push the Cavaliers lead to 12-2.
Shawnee State showed heart battling back as they scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of the fifth. Quentin Everman (Galloway, OH) reached base after getting hit by a pitch and Ryan Burnett (Bellevue, WA) doubled in the left center gap, scoring Everman. The Bears left two runners on base in the inning as the Bears could only claw back within 12-4.
Shawnee State continued to chip into the lead as they scored another run in the bottom of the sixth cutting the lead to 12-5. Everman's single to right field scoring Justin Marrero (Reynoldsburg, OH) after he reached on an error by the second baseman.
However, that would be the closest the Bears could get after Walsh came right back and scored one run making it 13-5.
In the ninth inning Burnett tried to make the game interesting. A hard hit a hard liner in left field, Burnett hustled to third base, and after a bobble ball coach Moore sent him running home. It was a bang-bang play at home plate and was called out killing some momentum.
Shawnee State will be back in action Tuesday, Feb. 28 as they take on Concordia University in a double-header. The Bears will play the University of Northwestern Ohio on Wednesday, Feb. 29 all at Branch Rickey Park.
