May 16, 2008

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Dominican right-hander David Colopy improved to 11-1 on the year Friday afternoon in Panther Valley as he helped the Panthers complete the sweep of Fisher (Mass.) College with a 13-2 victory in the East Coast Super Regional.  With the win ODU will head back to Lewiston, Idaho for their sixth appearance in the NAIA World Series in school history.

Fisher came into the three game series after cruising through the NAIA Region X Tournament where they outscored their opponents 56-2.  Colopy, a junior from Columbus, Ohio, continued the dominance he showed throughout the season by shutting down the Falcons in the championship game.  Colopy tossed a seven hitter, while going seven innings, allowing one run.  He also struck out five batters to complete the sweep of the Falcons.

Ohio Dominican had little trouble finding their offense as they jumped all over the Falcon's starter Jarlin Gomez in the first inning.  Gomez retired just one batter in the first inning, before being knocked out of the game after allowing four runs on three hits.  ODU continued to roll as they tacked on another run in the first inning that saw 11 batters step to the plate.

The Panthers broke the game wide open in the second inning as they added four more runs to take a commanding lead.  After a lead-off single by Joe Janusik (Cincinnati, OH) and double by Eian Banks (Delaware, OH) the Panthers were again in position for a big inning.

And a big inning they would have as Fisher was forced to again turn to the bull pen.  Another single this time by  Greg Riesenberg (Loveland, OH) scored pinch runner Germaine McAlpine (Canton, OH) and Banks extended the Panthers lead to 7-0. KC Warden (Westerville, OH) would then collect two RBIs for ODU as he smashed a doubled off the centerfield fence.

Fisher would send their third pitcher of the afternoon to the hill in Patrick Shanahan who made it through two innings allowing three runs.  ODU added three more before they were done and their ticket was punched for Lewiston.

On the day, Warden was 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs.  Five other Panthers hitters including Felix Brown (Philipsburg, St. Maarten), Janusik, Banks, Riesenberg, and Brian Packo (St. Augustine, FL) would collect two hits in the game as the Region IX Champions out-hit the Falcons 14-9.

Ohio Dominican's Andy Onak (Orland Park, IL) and Roland Rodriguez (Miami, FL) would close the door on the Falcons as they each threw one inning.

Ohio Dominican will extend their season a week longer as they make the trip to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, May 23-30.

Tournament brackets and seedings will be determined on Sunday by the NAIA office.