Raiders set school win record but fall short in NCAA Regional final

Outfielders Ryan Fucci (2) and JD Orr (35) were named to the All-Tournament Team. The Raiders went 2-2 in the Louisville Regional, losing to the tournament host Cardinals in the finals. (Photos by Michael DaZarn/NCAA)

The Wright State baseball team set a school record with 46 wins on its way to reaching the NCAA Regional finals before losing to Louisville June 5.

During a thrilling tournament run, the Raiders went 2-2, beating Western Michigan and Ohio State to advance to the Regional finals for the second consecutive year.

Wright State finished the season with a record of 46-17, breaking the 1989 team’s 45-win program record.

The Raiders saw their postseason run come to an end as #2 national seed and host Louisville advanced to the Super Regionals with a 3-1 decision at Jim Patterson Stadium.

After three scoreless innings, the Cardinals went in front to stay in the fourth as Will Smith reached on an infield hit to start the frame and Nick Solak followed with a two-run home run to left. Louisville then added another run in the sixth on a RBI single by Solak.

Wright State put together a two-out rally for a run in the ninth as JD Orr doubled down the right field line and Gabe Snyder drove him in with a single to right center, but a fly out ended the game.

The Raiders advanced to the Regional finals by defeating #20 Ohio State 7-3 in an elimination game earlier in the day.

Starter Caleb Sampen (9-4) went five innings for the victory, limiting the Buckeyes to two runs and four hits while striking out two. Fellow freshman Zane Collins pitched the final four innings to earn the save, his second of the year.

Orr finished with three hits and two runs scored while Sean Murphy had two hits and two RBI, and Matt Morrow and Peyton Burdick had two hits each.

Matt Morrow rounds third base and heads for home during the Raiders’ 7-3 victory over Ohio State in the NCAA Regional tournament on June 5.

Wright State knocked Western Michigan out of the Louisville Regional on June 4 with a 10-3 win.

Starter Robby Sexton (7-3) was in control after allowing the two runs in the first, giving up just a run on three hits and a walk over his final 5.2 innings of work. Logan Blair closed out the game with 2.1 shutout innings.

Morrow, Mitch Roman, Ryan Fucci, Murphy, Orr and John Brodner each had two hits with Burdick scoring three times and Morrow twice. Roman, Snyder and Orr each drove in two.

The Raiders opened the tournament on June 3 with a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Ohio State, when the Buckeyes scored twice in the bottom of the ninth.

Senior outfielder Ryan Fucci and freshman outfielder JD Orr were named to the All-Tournament Team. Fucci hit .333 with a team-high five RBI in four games while Orr hit a team-best .533 (8 for 15) with four runs scored and three RBI.

Wright State earned a spot in the NCAA tournament by winning the Horizon League tournament for the second consecutive year.