Baseball falls in HAAC tournament

Story by Chad Mullens, Writer

The Baker Wildcat baseball team finished its season by going 1-2 in the HAAC tournament.

The Wildcats had an overall record of 22-29, a 16-win improvement over last season.

In the Wildcats’ opening game of the conference tournament against fourth-seeded Culver-Stockton College, BU lost 6-3. Senior and first-team all-conference selection Josh Zach went 2-4 with an RBI. Fellow senior James Gricol pitched 5.2 innings, giving up only two earned runs.

In the Wildcats’ lone conference tournament victory, the Wilcats beat Benedictine College, 5-3. Second team All-HAAC senior Thomas Hawkins won his final game, pitching 7.0 innings and giving up three runs with four strikeouts. Zach was 2-3 with an RBI, and sophomore Cort Brennan had two RBIs.

The WIldcats then lost their last game of the season, falling to Evangel University 9-6. Senior Ryan Lasneske started on the mound for the Wildcats, pitching 7.0 innings and giving up five earned runs. Sophomore Ethan Jacks went 2-5 with two RBIs.

The Wildcats will return next season with a new coach. Before the season began, Phil Hannon announced that he would step down after the 2014 season.