BEREA, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson College baseball team fell by a 5-4 score to third-ranked Baldwin Wallace in the 2024 season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon in Ohio.
 
The Yellow Jackets were staked to an early lead after pushing four runs across over the opening two innings of play. The Presidents recorded single tallies in the second and third innings.

In the top of the second inning, Knox Meier (Tampa, Fla. / Berkeley Prep) would plate the Presidents' first run of the season. Meier produced an RBI single through the right side to score Brent Kurtz (Washington, Pa. / Trinity), who reached on a one-out single earlier in the inning. The run-scoring hit by Meier cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
B-W tacked on two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Yellow Jackets took advantage of a leadoff double and a pair of RBI singles to extend the lead to 4-1.

W&J put a pair of runners on with one out in the third inning. Nolan Lutz (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) walked and advanced to third a batter later on a single by Scout Zaas (Powell, Ohio/Wellington School). Kurtz came through again, as an infield hit singled home Lutz to bring the deficit to 4-2. 

The hosts added an insurance run without the benefit of a hit in the fourth inning. The Yellow Jackets were able to push a run across after a hit by pitch and three consecutive walks.
  
In the top of the seventh, Eli Owens (Alexandria, Va. / West Potomac) would reach on a hit by pitch. Two batters later, Zaas crushed a two-run blast over the right center field fence to cut the B-W lead to 5-4. 
 
W&J placed at least one runner on base in the eighth and ninth innings but could not find a way to tie the score. Lutz produced a one-out single in the ninth and later stole second. However, the Yellow Jackets were able to record the final out to earn the one-run victory.
 
The Presidents held a slim 9-8 advantage in hits. Kurtz and Zaas both ended the game with multi-hit efforts with two hits apiece.

Chase Perry (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Nease) started and took the loss on the mound. Perry gave up four runs in 1.2 innings. The best outing of the day was turned in by Ethan Marszalek (Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes), who tossed three scoreless innings of relief. The W&J pitching staff struck out nine but walked seven batters Saturday. 
 
The Presidents return to action on Sunday, Feb. 18th. against St. John Fisher. The game will serve as the 2024 home opener for the Presidents. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ross Memorial Park. The game begins a stretch of nine-straight home games for the Presidents.