Notice: Undefined variable: paywall_console_msg in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/single_post_meta_query.php on line 71
Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 18
Notice: Trying to get property 'cat_ID' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 18
9. W&J one win from national title
Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412
Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412
The Washington & Jefferson College baseball team achieved new heights this past season.
The Presidents, led by head coach Jeff Mountain and a core of 13 seniors, won the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, cruised through the NCAA Mideast Regional played at Ross Memorial Park and advanced to their first NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, Wis.
W&J (42-13) crusied through pool play at the World Series, winning three consecutive games to reach the championship series against California Lutheran. The Presdients won the opening game of the best-of-3 finals by a 12-2 score and was one victory from of a national championship. Cal Lutheran, however, rebounded and won the finals two games, 12-4 and 7-3.
The Presidents’ offense was first in the nation in runs, home runs, doubles and hits, second in slugging percentage, fourth in runs per game and fifth in batting average. The offense was led by PAC Player of the Year senior catcher Derek Helbing (.328 BA, 12 HR, 55 RBI) and senior outfielder Nick Vento, who became the program’s leader in games played, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases.
Riley Groves led the Presidents on the mound, as the senior won 11 games with a 2.30 ERA. Groves was named the PAC Pitcher of the Year.
Groves, Helbing and Nogay each were named All-American, and Mountain, who surpassed the 400-win mark during the season, was the ABCA Mideast Regional Coach of the Year.