The John Carroll University baseball team will be traveling to Marietta, Ohio to participate in the 2012 Ohio Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament after edging Baldwin-Wallace and Muskingum in tie-breakers to nab the fourth and final seed.

The Blue Streaks (18-20, 9-9 OAC) will open play against the No. 1 seed Marietta College Pioneers (34-6, 16-2 OAC) at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 at Don Schaly Stadium.  The No. 2 seeded University of Mount Union (27-13, 13-5 OAC) will match up with No. 3 seed Heidelberg University (25-15, 11-7 OAC) at 4:00 p.m.

JCU split the season series with Marietta, losing 3-2 (10 innings) and winning 8-2 at Don Schaly Stadium on April 22. 

The Streaks feature seven hitters who possess a batting average better than .300, led by sophomore Mitchell Herringshaw (.376, 25 RBI) and senior Tom Hickey (.327, four doubles, one HR).  On the mound, sophomore Jimmy Spagna (3.28 ERA, two shut-outs) leads a contingent of four JCU pitchers who have secured at least three wins.  Freshmen hurlers Tyler Ferretti and Kevin Rosinski have been effective from the bullpen, as well.

The Pioneers are the defending NCAA Division III National Champions, and are currently ranked No. 1 in the country in 2012.  Their pitching staff leads the OAC with a collective ERA of 2.24, piloted by senior All-American Austin Blaski (9-1, 0.58 ERA).  Tim Saunders (.423, 22 extra-base hits), Evan Brockmeier (.374, 38 RBI), and Aaron Hopper (.361, four HR, 49 RBI) have knocked the cover off the ball for the defending champs.

John Carroll is 0-4 thus far in 2012 against Mount Union and Heidelberg.  The Purple Raiders boast the top hitter in the OAC in Connor Mathis, whose .450 batting average and 53 RBI lead the conference.  Heidelberg has won eight games in a row, and senior outfield Ricardo Lizcano tops the OAC with eight home runs.

To follow the tournament for brackets, scores, and live coverage, check out the 2012 OAC Baseball Tournament Website.