Filling the gap

The No. 1 seed Wright State University baseball program will host the 2023 Horizon League Championship from May 24–27 at Nischwitz Stadium, with the conference’s six teams represented in a double-elimination bracket.

“It’s a huge week for our university and our program,” said Alex Sogard, head baseball coach. “It allows us to spotlight our facilities and our fields.”

Malcolm McClure, a grounds maintenance worker, is the first to arrive at the baseball stadium. He’s responsible for patching the pitcher’s mounds with clay and repairing the synthetic turf before teams take the field.

McClure and other members of the grounds staff also cut and trim the grass outside of the athletic fields so the area will make a good impression on guests.

“We groom outside just as much as we do inside,” said McClure.

Also beginning on May 24, Wright State is hosting several high school teams competing in the Ohio High School Athletic Association softball regional tournament.

Sogard said that working the grounds crew can be a thankless job because they have to work so many hours behind the scenes before people arrive at the stadium. “It takes a village to have a successful program,” said Sogard.

The Raiders (22-8) clinched their fifth-straight Horizon League baseball regular season title and will play their first game in the conference tournament at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 25.

Tickets for the Horizon League Championship are available for purchase at the gate of Nischwitz Stadium. All-Tournament passes can be purchased for $25, while day passes are $10. Horizon League students with their ID cards and children under 5 years old are admitted for free.

Every game of the tournament will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.

The Horizon League Championship game is set for Saturday, May 27, at noon.

View the tournament bracket. More information about the tournament is available at horizonleague.org.