The Wooster baseball team came into the season ranked No. 2 in Div. III. After 14 games, the team has lived up to its high billing.
With big victories coming against nationally ranked No. 12 Carthage College and No. 7 Kean University, as well as NCAC victories against Ohio Wesleyan University and Kenyon College, the Scots have a lot to be proud of after their trip.
Returning back to last seasonís All-American form was staffís ace Justin McDowell í11. After three starts and 21.1 innings pitched, McDowell boasts a NCAC leading 3-0 record with a team-best 2.95 ERA. Only Kenyon first-year Tyler Dierke holds a better ERA amongst starters in the NCAC. More than just the wins and the ERA, McDowell has shown excellent control with his pitches, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.83 and only one wild pitch this season.
Also back in action this season is Matt Barnes í11, who was pegged as the staffís ace last preseason before blood clots cut his season short.† Barnes, who was dominant his first two seasons (14-5, 3.38 ERA, 3.56 K/BB) has shown moments of brilliance through his first three starts, highlighted by an eight-inning gem for the win against Kean. Currently holding a 2-1 record with a 3.91 ERA, Barnes is still shaking off the cobwebs from a season on the bench, but should be more effective down the stretch.
Leading the offense for the Scots this season is tri-captain Matt Groezinger í10. Groezinger, who was a first team All NCAC designated hitter last season, has put up monster numbers in the first part of the season, batting .500 (23-46) with three home runs and 23 RBIs. Groezinger leads the NCAC in batting average amongst players who have played more than five games.
Also playing well for the Scots is† transfer Greg Van Horn í11.† Van Horn, who was in the top-five in a majority of the offensive categories at Princeton University last season, has made his presence immediately felt, stepping into the shortstop position, as well as the third spot in the batting order.† His numbers have been impressive to say the least, hitting .477 with more extra base hits than singles, as well as a perfect nine for nine on steal attempts. Van Horn has even helped out on the mound when called upon, allowing three hits and no runs through six innings of relief appearance.
On Wednesday, the Scots faced off against Capital University at Art Murray field. Behind the stellar pitching of Barnes and Matt DeGrand í10, as well as some excellent power from Matt Johnson ë10, the Scots were able to dominate the entire game, winning 6-1. Barnes, who improved to 2-1 on the season after this win, pitched a scorless five innings, allowing only four hits and one walk. He was relieved at the start of the sixth inning by DeGrand, who improved on some early season woes with three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit and one walk.
On the offensive side, the Scots were helped early on by the bat of Johnson, who hit two home runs in his first two at bats. Johnson, who had only one home run to date this season, now shares the team lead with Groezinger at three apiece.
In the third inning, the Scots received some suprise generosity when, with two outs and no one on, a hit batter, single and two walks scored the Scots another run without much offensive effort.
It wasnít until the top of the ninth inning that the Crusaders were finally able to put a point on the board, when Zach Byers, who had been hit by a pitch earlier in the inning, scored on an RBI single with one out remaining in the inning.
The Scots had a game on Thursday at home against Marietta College after this issue went to print.
This weekend, the Scotsí will take place in back-to-back double headers at Allegheny College.