When only four teams out of ten qualify for the postseason baseball tournament in the Ohio Athletic Conference, making the field for the eighth consecutive season is quite the accomplishment.

John Carroll would like to do more than simply qualify for an eighth consecutive year. The Blue Streaks would very much like to add a championship trophy to place next to the one they captured in 2014 when the 2016 OAC Tournament commences today (May 12) at Otterbein University's Fishbaugh Field in Westerville, Ohio

OAC Tournament Website

The Blue Streaks do come into the playoffs as the decided underdog. Seeded fourth of the four teams and the only one below .500 (19-20) in terms of overall record, JCU finished the conference regular season schedule with an 11-7 record. Against the other teams in the bracket, JCU was 1-1 against #1 seed and host Otterbein and 0-2 against both #2 seed Marietta and #3 seed Baldwin Wallace.

One strength John Carroll will have on its side is pitching. The Blue Streaks had the second lowest team ERA in OAC games this season (3.19) and the top three starters -- Aaron Lapaglia, Brandon Maddern and Drew Vargo -- each had three league wins and ERA's below 3.00.

John Carroll will also rely on previous playoff experience to get through the OAC gauntlet. The seven senior members of the Blue Streaks were all part of the magical 2014 postseason that witnessed John Carroll capture the program's first OAC title by winning the postseason tournament. Tyler Gentile was the MVP of the tournament, and Lapaglia worked the final 3.1 inning sof the championship game to earn the save and secure the title.

JCU will kick off its tournament run by facing host Otterbein on Thursday, May 12, at 12 noon. Live stats will be available.

A complete tournament schedule follows (double elimination - champion receives automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament):

Thursday, May 12 - Day One

• Game 1 - #1 Otterbein (14-4) vs. #4 John Carroll (11-7), 12 p.m.  |  Live Stats
• Game 2 - #2 Marietta (13-5) vs. #3 Baldwin Wallace (13-5), 3 p.m.  |  Live Stats  Marietta Radio

Friday, May 13 - Day Two

• Game 3 - Winners from Games 1 and 2, 9:30 a.m. | Live Stats
• Game 4 - Non-Winners from Games 1 and 2 (elimination game), 12:30 p.m. | Live Stats
• Game 5 - Non-Winner from Game 3 vs. Winner from Game 4 (elimination game), 4 p.m. | Live Stats
   

Saturday, May 14 - Day Three

• Game 6- Winner from Game 3 vs. Winner from Game 5, 12 p.m.  |  Live Stats
• Game 7 - * TBD, 3 p.m. (if necessary)