Finishing off a series where the Shawnee State baseball program scored 57 runs on 43 hits, Rob Ehlers' club, down 5-2 after four innings of work to the Ohio Christian Trailblazers' baseball program, exploded for 11 consecutive runs -- including a nine-run sixth inning that featured two grand slams by Noah Sniadach and Michael De Jesus -- to finish off a convincing River States Conference's series win with a 14-6 victory Monday evening at Branch Rickey Park in Portsmouth.

Shawnee State, who won its sixth consecutive game with Monday's victory and have now swept Brescia (Ky.), Alice Lloyd (Ky.) and Ohio Christian, earned its third conference sweep in the regular season for the first time since 2010. The Bears defeated Walsh and Point Park (Pa.) in two four-game series, defeating Walsh in Canton, Ohio and Point Park in Portsmouth at Branch Rickey Park, before taking down Notre Dame College in a two-game set at the Branch.

Down 2-0 after the opening half-inning of play, Nolan Tressler's leadoff single to center field was followed by two quick outs that were secured by the Trailblazer defense. However, Eric Oakes -- on the first pitch that the senior saw -- wasted no time changing Ohio Christian's early lead in a hurry, as the senior jumped all over a Ross Donaldson fastball and deposited it over the center field fence to tie the score at two apiece after an inning of play.

Following a one-out single to center field by Diego Mendoza, two hit by pitches and a walk allowed the Bears to take a 3-2 lead after three innings of work -- before Ohio Christian took the lead back with a three-run fourth that turned the 3-2 SSU lead into a 5-3 OCU advantage.

The Trailblazers' momentum, however, was halted there.

In the fifth inning of action, a leadoff single by Diego Mendoza and a swipe of second base by courtesy runner Eli Jones was followed by an RBI single by Oakes that cut Ohio Christian's lead to a 5-4 count.

Then in the sixth inning of play, singles by Hunter Warner and Tyler Lund were followed up by a hit by pitch and a fielder's choice that drove in a run, allowing Shawnee State to tie the score at five all.

But the rally cappers weren't done.

Two batters later, Sniadach, with the bases loaded, followed with a cataclysmic grand slam home run to right field to give the Bears a 9-5 advantage -- and the lead, for good. Then, after singles by Oakes and Warner, along with a hit by pitch, loaded the bases again, De Jesus promptly unloaded them with his own bomb to center field -- as the nine-run sixth frame turned the once tight affair into a 13-5 rout.

Sniadach then added onto the lead with an RBI triple in the seventh frame, completing a tremendous series where the senior went 7-for-12 with three home runs, a triple, two doubles and an incredible 15 RBI at the plate in three games and finalizing the Shawnee State scoring.

OCU got a run back in the top of the ninth inning of action but got no closer -- as SSU cruised home and moved above .500 on the year with the triumph.

Seniors (in order by number)

Dylan Driskill:

A senior infielder from Kemp, Texas, Dylan Driskill is a three-year member of the SSU baseball program. His favorite memory is getting to play baseball with what he says is a fun group of guys.

“It’s a fun group of guys to be around every day,” Driskill said. “It’s been great to watch us turn this baseball program around.”

Academically, Driskill holds a 3.28 GPA as a sport management major and will be named as an Academic All-RSC honoree at the conclusion of the spring semester.

Driskill’s plans are to become a college baseball coach.

Eric Oakes:

A two-year member of the Shawnee State baseball program, senior pitcher and Tomball, Texas native Eric Oakes has a no-hitter against Bethel (Tenn.) back in 2023 and over 130 career strikeouts to his credit. A two-way player, Oakes has also started at third base for much of the 2024 season.

Oakes’ favorite memory was back in late February, when the Bears collected a series victory over No. 23-ranked Concordia (Mich.). The series, which was SSU’s first series victory over a NAIA National Top 25 opponent in 10 years, showed, according to Oakes “how special this team is and what we are capable of when we come together and play as a team.”

“It has been amazing what we as a team have accomplished this season,” Oakes said. “Starting the new year with a new head coach can be difficult but we have thrived past expectations with Coach Ehlers.”

Oakes’ plans are to get a job in medical sales or cardiovascular therapy, with his main goal to be the best father to Stella.

Academically, Oakes holds a 3.43 GPA as an exercise science major. He will also be named as an Academic All-RSC honoree at the conclusion of the spring semester.

Noah Sniadach:

A four-year senior and starter inside the Shawnee State baseball program from Hebron, Ohio, Shawnee State senior infielder Noah Sniadach now has a career .321 batting average with the Bears. He exceeded the 100-hit mark for his career as a junior.

In 2024, Sniadach is hitting a career-best .415, which ranks third in the River States Conference as of today, and the senior has 24 extra base hits out of his 54 total for the year.

Sniadach’s favorite memory was as a freshman in college, where the infielder hit two home runs against Bluefield in a doubleheader that saw the Bears win 6-5 and 20-5. Sniadach also had a two-run double in the first contest that ultimately proved to drive in the game-winning runs.

“It has been an honor to play with every one of my teammates this last season and learn to overcome the obstacles we have faced together,” Sniadach said.

Academically, Sniadach holds a 3.59 GPA as a marketing major. He will also be named as an Academic All-RSC honoree at the conclusion of the spring semester as well as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Sniadach’s future plans are to pursue a career in marketing.

Logan Green:

A senior pitcher from Shelby, Ohio, Green completed his first season inside the SSU baseball program. His favorite memory at Shawnee State is Friday night karaoke with the guys, and turning around to have live at-bats in the Waller Gymnasium Mezzanine at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

“Even though I've only been here at Shawnee for a year, these guys have made this experience amazing,” Green said. “It’s created a new family that I'll have for the rest of my life.

Green’s goals after graduation are to head to grad school for a master’s degree in sport administration in the hopes of working in collegiate athletics.

Noah Rezner:

A Corona, Calif. native, Noah Rezner is in his fourth season inside the Shawnee State baseball program. Rezner hit three home runs as a junior, including one against Ohio University which, along with the friendships that he has made inside the SSU baseball program, serves as his favorite baseball memories.

“I think the team and program has taken a step in the right direction this past season, and there was obvious growth,” Rezner said.

With a 3.27 GPA, Rezner will also be named as an Academic All-RSC honoree at the conclusion of the spring semester. One of his goals following graduation is to pass the CPA exam.

Nolan Tressler:

A native of Woodstock, Ga., Tressler has been a standout for the Bears in 2024 in his lone year with the program.

The leadoff hitter and outfielder holds the second-best batting average in the River States Conference with a .401 mark, has nine home runs, 50 RBI and 44 runs scored and won the River States Conference Hitter of the Week back on April 9.

Tressler, who leads Shawnee State in eight different batting categories (hits, triples, home runs, extra base hits, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS) has gone 44-for-94 at the plate since March 2.

His favorite memory was also when the Bears collected a series victory over No. 23-ranked Concordia (Mich.).

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Tressler said. “Together, we fixed the field up and we found a way to start winning as a unit. It's been an experience better than I could have imagined.”

Tressler’s plans are to stick around baseball as long as possible and use his business management degree to make the world a better place.

Kyle Eslick:

A three-year member of the Shawnee State baseball program, Tomball, Texas infielder Kyle Eslick has made his opportunities count in 2024, especially lately at the plate. In his last 18 at-bats, Eslick has nine hits, and for the year, the senior has a .324 batting average.

Eslick’s favorite memories at Shawnee State include spending time with his teammates in various ways from eating together to playing cards on the bus.

“It has been an amazing experience to be able to play and grow as a person this past season at Shawnee State,” Eslick said. “Being able to spend time with my fellow teammates and coaches has made this season unforgettable. Every moment has been a blessing and I will cherish the memories made with my teammates for the rest of my life. I love my teammates and I will always see them as my brothers.”

Eslick, who holds a 3.13 GPA in exercise science, plans to pursue a career in the waterfowl hunting industry following the conclusion of his college days.

Additional

In addition to Sniadach's terrific performance, Eric Oakes (3-for-5, home run, three RBI, two runs scored), Michael De Jesus (2-for-5, home run, triple, four RBI, run scored), Tyler Lund (2-for-4, run scored), Diego Mendoza (2-for-4, walk) and Hunter Warner (2-for-4, RBI, two runs scored) rounded out the multi-hit parade for Shawnee State in the contest.

With the victories, Shawnee State (20-19, 14-7 River States Conference) sealed second place in the RSC's East Division and will play at the conference tournament's final site, which will be at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe.

The Bears will look to continue to close out the year on a high note as Shawnee State will face archrival Rio Grande in a three-game River States Conference series set that is scheduled to begin Friday, April 19 at 2 p.m. in Rio Grande, Ohio.

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