Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The John Carroll University baseball program has consistently been in the upper-tier of the Ohio Athletic Confreence, but has not started a season with a 5-1 record since 2009.

That drought ended on Monday afternoon.

The Blue Streaks racked up another two victories, 10-1 and 10-8, in a twin bill against the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards at Lake Myrtle Field South, also known as Mickey Etherton Field in Auburndale, FL as part of the 2018 Russmat Classic.

Steve Virost fired six shutout innings, Patrick Keohane notched his second long ball of the campaign, David Ferguson continued his hitting terror and many more positives transpired to propel head coach Marc Thibeault to his best start in eight years.

"It's really huge, we've all been working really hard since the fall, even before that," said Ferguson of the accomplishment. "All of our freshman have come and they've stepped up. Our seniors are leading us really well. Just overall, really good."

John Carroll had 15 stolen bases between the two contests, giving it 27 on the campaign. The school record for a single season is 81.

Game 1
Within seconds of the game's first pitch, Keohane launched a solo shot to left field, his second collegiate home run. Moments later, Ferguson singled in Monroe Donnelly and Michael Anderson found the hole for a two-run single, increasing the first-inning lead to 4-0.

"It felt good today, it's always good to get off on a hot start," Keohane said. "Just leadoff, get on base somehow. It's nice to get the guys going with a home run to lead off the game."

The offense would continue to accumulate at a rapid rate.

After Dominic Mittiga knocked in a run with a fielder's choice to second, Ferguson plugged the outfield gap for a two-run double, elevating his RBI total for the trip to five. Mike McCarty lifted a sacrifice fly to score Derek Penman, and the Blue Streaks carved out an 8-0 advantage through three frames.

"We've just been talking about getting barrels on the ball," said Ferguson of the team's approach at the plate. "That's what I've been working for and it's just been working really well for me right now. It's been going good."

Lost in the shuffle of the offensive onslaught was a pitching clinic by Virost, who logged six scoreless innings with only one hit charged to his ledger. His command of the strike zone effectively parlayed with his three-pitch arsenal to change the eye level of the opposition.

"Getting ahead in the count was big," Virost said. "Getting ahead with the fastball and being able to throw all three pitchers for a strike. My defense helped me out a lot. Just getting ahead in the count."

The senior out of Notre Dame Cathedral Latin finished with a final line of 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 7 K (76 pitches, 51 strikes, 67.1 percent).

"Just keeping the same attitude, regardless of what the score is," said Virost of keeping his competitive edge in a lopsided affair. "Always trying to go out there and compete, and be the best pitcher I can be."

"Steve was absolutely incredible today," Keohane said. "The only hit he gave up was a play that [Aaron Zawadzki] made in the hole, he still was able to get a glove on it. This was one of the best outings I've seen from Steve in a long time and I can't wait to watch him pitch all season."

Fueling Virost's victory on the offensive side of the ball was Keohane, who went 3-for- 4 with two runs and an RBI.

"I've been pretty good this year, starting off better than I was kind of expecting," said Keohane. "I have to cut down on strikeouts and a few other things. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my performance and just looking forward to keeping it going."

A throwing error gave McCarty an RBI in the fifth before Penman lifted a sacrifice fly in the seventh, extending the lead to 10 runs.

Nathaniel Wenson closed it out, allowing one run before inducing a 6-3 groundout to cap off Game 1.

Game 2

A 30-minute intermission would not slow the JCU offense, as it rattled off six runs on three hits in the first inning alone. Ferguson walked in a run, Matthew Donnelly singled in a pair, Zawadzki ripped a two-run triple and Anderson recorded a sacrifice fly, paving the way to an early 6-0 lead.

Freshman John Merrill toed the rubber in his second collegiate appearance, surrendering five runs (four earned) over two frames. Tyler Weninger sped around the bases for a two-run triple before AndrewnElliot knocked him in on a single.

Carter Semancik entered in place of Merrill, giving up an RBI single to Jake Smith to trim the margin to one run. By allowing the inherited runner to score, Merrill closed the day with a final line of 2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (62 pitches, 33 strikes, 53.2 percent).

The seesaw affair would stay true to form.

A fielding error by the Leopards would open the door for the Blue and Gold, as Matthew Donnelly stole second, advanced to third on Penman's bunt single and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Nicholas Michel entered and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch, but limited the damage to one run by striking out Smith with the bases loaded.

Then Ferguson and Donnelly returned to do more damage.

Once Mittiga singled and stole second base, Ferguson delivered an RBI triple and Donnelly lifted a sacrifice fly, providing Michel with a three-run cushion.

"I was just trying to look to drive the ball into the gap, move our runners along," said Ferguson of the clutch at-bat. "It just happened to get in the gap and we were able to score. From there, our team kept going."

Michel would load the bases before Andrew Steele walked Weninger, cutting the lead to two runs. Elliot flied out to bring the late-game rally to a screeching halt, and a historic start for JCU to fruition.

Up next

The Blue Streaks will reach the midpoint of their eight-game Florida trip against Penn State Altoona on Tuesday at 1 p.m. from Chain of Lakes Stadium in Winter Haven, FL.