Oilers Off To Slow Start In Florida

The University of Findlay Oilers baseball team opened their season by dropping two games to Lewis 5-1 and 6-4 on Sunday, March 4th in Winter Haven, Fla.

In game one, Lewis scored five of their six runs on solo home runs as they hit one in the second inning, two in the third and one in the fifth and sixth.

After Lewis scored in the first inning on a one out single, the Oilers tied the game in the second on David Cort's RBI single that scored Victor Migliore.

Preston Zachrich was tagged with the loss allowing five runs on nine hits. He struckout seven and walked one.

In game two, Lewis led 2-0 entering the third when Devon Christian reached first on an error. Reid Rothenbuhler and Blake Schmenk followed with singles to plate Christian to cut the lead in half.

After Lewis scored one in the fourth to extend the lead to 3-1, Dylan Cintula led off the the bottom of the inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nate Fitch.  Cort followed with a single and Dustin Zielaskiewicz doubled to put runners in scoring position. Christian would lift a sacrifice fly that scored Cort and tie the game.  

The Oilers scored one in the sixth when Zielaskiewic coaxed a two out walk, stole second and scored on a Christian single.

Derek Draper took the loss, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out four.

Alex Williams gave up three runs on three hits while walking and hitting a batter out of the bullpen.

The Oilers will be back in action tomorrow when they play Wheeling Jesuit in a doubleheader.