Tom hickey's first inning bases-clearing triple helped John Carroll on its way to a 9-7 win over Bluffton
Two runs stood between John Carroll and its opponent at the end of both games Monday.
One was on the good side, the other not so.
In JCU's opening game Monday morning, Ohio Wesleyan used two runs in the top of the ninth to build a cushion that stood up for a 5-3 win over the Blue Streaks at North County Regional Park.
Box Score
The Bishops held a 3-0 lead after scoring two runs in the third and one more in the fifth off starter
Jimmy Spagna.
The Blue Streaks would rally with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to RBI hits by
Joe Veltri (Rochester Hills, MI, Notre Dame Preparatory) and
Aaron Miller (Burton, OH, Berkshire).
Trailing 3-2, John Carroll would not be able to closer as Ohio Wesleyan picked up two big insurance runs in the top of the ninth. JCU got one back in the bottom half of the frame when
Brian Benander (Richmond Heights, OH, Cleveland St. Ignatius) scored on a wild pitch, but the Streaks stranded their 12th and final runner of the game with the tying run at the plate.
John Carroll would bounce back in game two of the day. using a four-run first, the Blue Streaks jumped out to a 6-1 advantage en route to a 9-7 victory over Bluffton.
Box Score
A bases loaded triple by
Tom Hickey (Orland Park, IL, Brother Rice) got John Carroll rolling early in the first inning, while
Ryan Konsler (Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest) keyed the second inning with a two-run single.
John Hastings (Pittsburgh, PA, Fox Chapel) kept the offense alive with an RBI triple in the fourth, and JCU would own a 9-2 lead after its top of the fifth.
Bluffton chopped at the lead, but solid relief pitching by
Joe Rubiano (Royal Palm Beach, FL, Seminole Ridge) (who picked up his first collegiate win) and
Robbie Bellusci (Burr Ridge, IL, Hinsdale Central)(who earned the save) helped JCU hold on for its second win of the year.
