Game one of the 2023 NCAA Division III Baseball Super Regional between the Spartans of Aurora University and Baldwin Wallace University saw yet another well played NCAA contest between two programs on Jim Schmid Field on Friday afternoon. AU fell to Baldwin Wallace 6-5. AU starting pitcher Jack Fisher tied an AU single season record for strikeouts with 104 now, tying alum Rob Fontana and his mark set in the 2004 season.


Game Score: #12 John Carroll University 6 #4 Aurora University 5
Record: Aurora University 42-5 overall
Location: Montgomery, Illinois - Jim Schmid Field
Postgame Interview: View now


- The Spartans appeared to have the offense rolling early with singles from Jacob Ambuel and Justin Sartori in the first but a double play ended the threat on a ball that Jett Wedekind scalded to the BW third baseman.
- After having runners on in each of the first three innings, the Spartans broke through in the fourth. 
- Josh Reinhardt doubled with one out and scored on a single from Tyler Patton to give Jack Fisher a 1-0 lead.
- AU added on in the fifth with Ambuel drawing a two-out walk and he scored on a missile of a home run to left off the bat of Justin Sartori.
- After 4-1/2 innings, AU led 3-0.
- BW tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the inning with three singles and a hit by pitch.
- In the sixth, the Spartans loaded the bases with a single from Dominick Curcio, a walk and an error.
- Spencer Ruch followed with a two-run single for a 5-3 lead and forced a BW call to the pen.
- Nico Bermeo singled to load the bases once again but the BW reliever kept the AU damage to two and a 5-3 lead.
- AU maintained the 5-3 lead going to the bottom of the 8th.
- After two quick outs, BW got a single and double to cut the AU lead to one at 5-4 and AU called to the pen and Carlos Garcia.
- A walk put two runners on ahead of a double down the right field line which scored a pair for a 6-5 BW lead.
- In the ninth and as the visitors in game one of the best of three series, the Spartans got a walk from Wedekind and with two outs, Curcio hit a shot that was snared by the BW first basemen for the final out.
- AU drops game one 6-5


HITTING
HITS: Justin Sartori and Spencer Ruch (2)
HOME RUN: Justin Sartori (1)
DOUBLE: Josh Reinhardt (1)
RUNS: Justin Sartori, Jacob Ambuel, Josh Reinhardt, Dominick Curcio and Tyler Patton (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Justin Sartori and Spencer Ruch (2)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Jack Fisher (7.2) and Carlos Garcia (0.1)
DECISIONS: Carlos Garcia (loss, 3-1)
STRIKEOUTS: Jack Fisher (2)