ST.CATHARINES, Ont.--The Brock University Baseball team improved their OUA record to 16-5 and clinched a final four playoff berth with the sweep of an evening double-header versus the McMaster Marauders at George Taylor Field on Tuesday night by scores of 4-2 and 9-7.
              
In Game One, The Badgers offense jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through 4 innings. Phil Steer (Toronto, Ont.), Ricky Ferri (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and James Roffey (Guelph, Ont.) each recorded and RBI despite the fact the Badgers were held to just 2 actual hits over the ball game. Chris Anderi  (Tecumseh, Ont.) also recorded an RBI double as well as drawing 2 walks on the night. McMaster starter Jake Roberts walked 5 batters over 4.0 innings pitched and the Badgers capitalized just enough to hand a lead to their pitching staff.
              
On the mound, Paul McKenna (Oakville, Ont.) started for the Badgers and produced a dominant complete game effort allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. The 4-0 lead was all he needed for his OUA leading 5th win of the season and remains un-defeated so far with a sparkling 1.97 ERA over his 5 conference starts this season.  
              
In Game Two, the Badgers offense exploded helping the team take a commanding 9-0 lead. Koddi Quick (Leamington, Ont.) went 2-for-2 with 2 RBI while Ben Kirby (Burlington, Ont.) and James Roffey (Guelph, Ont.) each went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI leading the Badgers offense.
              
The real story in Game 2 was Brock's Johnny Hutton (Ancaster, Ont.) who dominated throughout the game, going 6.2 innings with 8 strikeouts. Hutton did not allow McMaster to record a hit until there were just 2 outs remaining in the ball game in the Top of the 7th inning. McMaster freshman Cody Nason ruined the no-hitter for Hutton in the 7th inning with his RBI single. Jeff Baggaley (Whitby, Ont.) entered the game for Hutton and despite allowing 1 run on a walk and a hit, recorded the final out of the ball game. Several defensive mis-haps by the Badgers and a couple of walks from the exhausted Hutton would help the Marauders make it close, scoring 7 runs in the 7th inning. Despite the scare, the Badgers would hold on to take Game 2 by a final score of 9-7.
              
With the evening sweep, the Badgers improved to 16-5 clinching a playoff berth. The wins also marked the Badgers 24th and 25th overall, as their overall record now stands at 25-8 in what has been an outstanding season so far. Brock will close out OUA season action on Friday and Saturday at George Taylor Field in St.Catharines as they host Ryerson University on back to back days. Game 1 will take place 4:00 PM Friday while Games 2 and 3 will take place at 12:00 & 3:00 PM on Saturday.