Bears senior Johnny LaMantia rips a two-run single in Wash. U.’s win over North Central.
(photo courtesy Wash. U. athletics)

by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

The No. 2-ranked Washington University Bears rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat No. 7-ranked North Central Cardinals, 4-3, in a battle of top-ranked Division III baseball teams, Saturday afternoon at the Corn Crib in Normal, IL.

North Central got on the board first, with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth, and held that lead until Wash. U. rallied in the seventh. The Bears sent 10 men to the plate in that inning, with the big blow coming on a two-run single by senior slugger Johnny LaMantia.

That stroke tied the game, but a few batters later, after Wash U. had loaded the bases again, freshman Clayton Miller walked to bring in the lead run and senior Henry Singer did the same to give the Bears a 4-2 lead. 

North Central scored another unearned run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 4-3. But that was as close as the Cardinals would get, as sophomore Kyle Coates slammed the door and only allowed one other North Central base runner the rest of the game to pick up his first save of the season. 

Senior Mitchell Black got the win — his first of the season — after coming in in relief of starter Austin Sachen, who began the game on the mound for Wash. U., but left after just two innings. Black (1-0) pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed all three North Central runs, on just five hits and one walk, while striking out six.

The win allowed the Bears to move to 12-0 and remain unbeaten on the season. The 12-0 start is Wash. U.’s best to begin a season in over 40 years.

Wash. U. will be off this week, but will look to keep rolling when it returns to action on Friday, April 9, with a home doubleheader against Westminster College of Fulton, MO.

Game one at Kelly Field that day is set to begin at 1 p.m., with the nightcap slated for 4 p.m.