The last time John Carroll started a season out going 0-4 in conference play was 2006, and that season had the Blue Streaks sitting on the sideline when the postseason came around.

That was the specter facing JCU as it travelled to Ada a day later than intended. Two losses on Sunday would not mean the end of postseason hopes, but would certainly put the season on the brink.

Another possibility was sweeping the Polar Bears, whcih began the season ranked #24 in Division III. That outcome was much more palatable, and would go a long way into getting the Blue Streaks back into the thick of the Ohio Athletic Conference playoff chase

With outstanding pitching, solid defense and opportunistic offense, John Carroll vaulted itself back in the race with a 13-3 victory in game one and a 2-0 win in game two over the host Polar Bears at Wander Field.

GAME ONE

Ohio Northern drew first blood with a an RBI in the first inning, but the game turned dramatically in the third when JCU plated seven runs. It was an inning that chased Ohio Northern ace Nick Elzroth, a 2015 second team All-Midwest Region and first team All-OAC selection, from the game

With one out and a runner on second, James Molnar singled to set up Rob Cifelli with John Carroll's first scoring opportunity. The senior delivered with a double that scored Dominic Mittiga and Molnar to put JCU ahead, 2-1.

After Jacob Schriner reached on an error, David Crowley came through with another RBI hit to score Cifelli.

A Tyler Gentile single loaded the bases, but they were sytill loaded with two outs when Monroe Donnelly stepped to the plate. The ninth man to bat in the inning began what would become a ver big day. He produced a double to clear the bases and give John Carroll a 6-1 lead.

Donnelly later scored on an error for the seventh and final run of the frame, and the damage was done..

The Blue Streaks tacked on a run in the fifth on a Patrick Scholla RBI sacrifice fly to score Donnelly, and a single run in the sixth on a Crowley home run. The Blue Streaks then put three more runs across in the seventh, one scoring on a wild pitch and two by an error.

The final run was delivered by an RBI double by Donnelly, who finished the game with a career-high four RBI and three runs scored.

Lost in the offensive melee was the pitching effort of Aaron Lapaglia, who worked eight innings and gave up just three runs on six hits. His victory marked the 23rd of his career, tying John O'Rourke for the all-time lead in program history.

GAME TWO

Where the opener was marked by offensive fireworks, it was all pitching in the nightcap.

Brandon Maddern specifically.

The senior was as dominant as at any time in his four collegiate seasons. For the third time in his time as a Blue Streak, Maddern would strike out a career best 11. It marked the second time it has happened against Ohio Northern (April 6, 2014).

Today's effort saw him go seven and two-thirds innings, allowing just three hits (all singles).

Mark Materise would take it the rest of the way, retiring all four batters he faced for the save.

The offense for the Blue Streaks produced just five hits, but two of those hits mattered a great deal. One was a solo home run in the seocnd inning from Mike Raschilla, and the other was an RBI single from none other than Donnelly in the sixth inning.

That was all the support Maddern needed as he improved to 3-4 on the season.

Donnelly finished the day 4-7 with three runs and four RBI.

John Carroll improved to 8-11 overall and 2-2 in the OAC, while Ohio Northern fell to 11-9 and 2-2.