Between Games of the Doubleheader
BEREA, OHIO -- In 1985, the Baldwin-Wallace College baseball team won the Ohio Athletic Conference in dramatic fashion. With dusk approaching at what was then known as the B-W baseball field on Sunday night, a day after the OAC Tournament was supposed to end, and with the NCAA Division III National Selection Committee waiting patiently to see who won, the Yellow Jackets pulled off the improbable and won a tripleheader by beating Otterbein College in the late morning and today's opponent, arch-rival Marietta College twice.
Due to heavy rain that limited play on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the OAC tourney was shoved into Sunday, but B-W was up to the task. In the final game, with B-W trailing by three runss in the top of the ninth inning, freshman catcher John DiDonato came off the bench to hit a towering pinch-hit grand slam to give the lead and then it held off the Pioneers in the bottom of the ninth to win the OAC title. The wins that day advanced the 1985 team into the NCAA Division III National Tournament where the "historic ride" ended in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with a loss in the regional final to eventual national champion Wisconsin Oshkosh. Along the way, the Yellow Jackets set a school-record with 24 wins and were 24-15 overall, won the OAC regular season title with a 14-1 mark and were 24-7 against northern opponents.
Offensively, the Yellow Jackets batted .313, hit 20 homeruns and outscored the opposition, 258-226. Shortstop/ pitcher Doug Dockus led the team in hitting at .419 and was one of eight starters who hit .300 or better. The others were outfielder/ designated hitter Bob Rodriguez (.354), Academic All-American outfielder Jim Stefanik (.351, 6 HR, 45 RBI and 19 SBs), outfielder Chris Check (.320, 2 HR and 27 RBI), shortstop/ pitcher Walt Kendzierski (.314, 3 HR, 21 RBI), second baseman Jim Magazine (.313 with 14 SBs), third baseman John Mayles (.311) and outfielder John Floriea (.307, one HR, 28 RBI, 19 SBs). In addition, Academic All-American first baseman Andy Weyrich (.285, one HR, 20 RBI, 16 SBs) and catcher Marty Kelly (.277, 4 HR, 19 RBI) were two of the best defenders to ever wear the Brown & Gold. Others members of the varsity offense included Bill Kraus, Mario Onesko, Dave Rozzo, DiDonato, Dave Rojeck, Scot Oehlstrom, Tony Payton and Troy Plummer; many of whom would become future stars of future outstanding Yellow Jacket teams.
On the mound, Kendzierski led the team in wins with seven and a 7-3 record with a 4.85 earned run average but was just one of a balanced staff that deatured eight very solid pitchers. Joining Kendzierski in the rotation were Steve Topp (5-1 with a 4.50 ERA) and Dean OBrock (4-3 with a 5.30 ERA) and part-time starters and excellent relievers Marc Trischler (2-1 with four saves and a 3.34 ERA) and Stacy Parker (5-3 with three saves and a 3.48 ERA). In addition, Dockus (two saves), Oehlstrom (0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances) and Bernie Bonhotel (1-0, one save and a 2.25 ERA) rounded the staff.
The key to this team was its leadership, balance and diversity and a never-say-die attitude. Having great athletes like Kendzierski and Dockus who were able to alternate at shortstop, DH and on the mound gave Head Coach Bob Fisher the ability to always have a strong offense and defense (up the middle). Fisher's pitching staff was so balanced that any of his eight pitchers could either start or relieve and be equally as effective. And, off the bench, Fisher could call upon any member of his roster, like DiDonato, who could produce "in the clutch".
So, it is with great pleasure that we welcome back the OAC Championship Team of 1985 to say thanks for one of the greatest memories in B-W athletics history.
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