Wesleyan baseball wins USAC Tourney title, Moore named MVP

Burlington, NC - Top-seeded North Carolina Wesleyan beat Shenandoah twice on Sunday to win the USA South Conference Tournament Championship at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After winning the first game to force a deciding game, the Bishops knocked off the Hornets 6-2 to earn the title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The victory secured Wesleyan's first conference tournament championship since 2006 and its sixth overall. Bishop hurler Ben Moore (pictured) was tabbed Most Valuable Player after earning his second win of the tournament, allowing just one earned run on five hits in a complete-game effort.

Shenandoah (31-8) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a Justen Eberz RBI-single to center. The lead didn’t last long, however, as Wesleyan’s Justin Tuck smashed a two-run homer in the Bishops’ half of the inning to put his team ahead 2-1.

The Bishops (25-16) remained in front until the top of the sixth when Shenandoah’s Kevin Brashears scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at 2-2.

Once again, the Bishops answered right back. Zollie Woodlief knocked a two-run homer to center field to put Wesleyan ahead 4-2. On the very next pitch, Zach Alexander crushed a solo homer to left-center that extended the lead to three runs. NCWC added another run in the seventh on a bases loaded walk.

The Hornets threatened in the top of the ninth inning with three singles, but couldn't score. With two outs, Moore (7-1) forced a grounder up the middle that Travis Beausoleil fielded for the force out at second to end the game.

The Bishops' road to the championship consisted of an 8-4 win over Greensboro on Thursday night, followed by a 17-5 loss to the Hornets on Saturday. After dropping into the loser's bracket, Wesleyan rebounded with a 7-6 come-from-behind win over Christopher Newport and a 10-8 victory over Ferrum, both on Saturday. The Bishops' 16-6 win in game one of Sunday's championship set the stage for game two's title-clinching win.

Several players were key components in the Bishops' success. On Saturday, Jon Lucas went seven complete to pick up the win over CNU, and Jonathan Shearon earned the victory over Ferrum in an eight-inning performance. Sunday saw sophomores Justin Diener and Richard Wall knock off the Hornets in game one, while Andrew Webb and John Child combined for three saves on the weekend.

Other major contributors included All-Tournament selections Justin Batts, Justin Rahm, Luke Williford, and Zollie Woodlief. Batts led the team with a .429 batting average and 12 RBI in the tourney, while as a team, the Bishops turned in a solid .315 batting average.

Wesleyan will now begin preparing for NCAA Tournament play by wrapping up its regular season schedule this week. Up first is a doubleheader at 2008 Division II National Champion Mt. Olive College on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
 

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