WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Freshman Joe Filosa (Fort Wayne, Ind.) was sharp in his starting debut and senior closer Vince Bartolone (Broadview Heights, Ohio) slammed the door on a potential Wayne State (Neb.) rally as Ohio Dominican's baseball team came away with a 3-1 win Thursday at the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational.

Filosa allowed just four hits and one run in 6.1 innings. He punched out six and issued just one walk in first collegiate start.

Bartolone, meanwhile, entered with two on and nobody out in the eighth, trying to protect a 2-1 lead. A sacrifice bunt and intentional walk loaded the bases, but the right-hander then struck out the next two batters looking to end the inning.

The Panthers tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by senior Marcus Schluessler (Zanesville, Ohio), and Bartolone set down the side in order for his first save this season and ninth of his career.

With the win, ODU improved to 6-4, while Wayne State fell to 4-7. The Wildcats won the first matchup between the teams 7-3 on Tuesday.

ODU managed just four hits in the game but held WSC to just five hits.

The Panthers trailed 1-0 heading into the top of the fifth. Schluessler walked with one out, went to second on a walk to junior Ian Huss (Springboro, Ohio), then stole third with Huss swiping second. Schluessler then came in to score on a passed ball to tie the game.

ODU took the lead in the eighth, also without the benefit of an RBI. Sophomore Tony Evans (Medway, Ohio) singled, then scored as a failed pickoff throw sailed into the outfield.

ODU's insurance run in the ninth came after freshman Lee Sponseller (Mason, Ohio) doubled to start the inning, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Childers (Pickerington, Ohio) before coming in on Schluessler's fly ball to center.

Ohio Dominican concludes its week in Florida with a 12:30 p.m. contest Friday against Winona State. The Panthers fell 7-5 to WSU earlier in the week.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu