Pitching Dominates in Oilers GLIAC Opener
The University of Findlay baseball team traveled to Mount Vernon Nazerene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) double-header against the Pioneers of Malone University on Friday, March 21st. The Oilers dropped game one by a final of 3-1 and then lost the nightcap 4-3. The losses moved Findlay to 3-9 (0-2) on the young season.
In game one, Findlay got off to a solid start as senior Joe Sickler, who had two hits on the day, hit his third home run of the year in the bottom of the first inning, putting the Oilers ahead 1-0.
The lead would hold until the top of inning number four when Malone strung together four hits and scored three runs.
That lead would hold as the Oilers did not collect a hit in the final three innings of play.
Sickler led Findlay's offense as he went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the game and senior Michael Louis went 1-2.
Taking the loss on the mound was Hargrove. The hurler went the distance, allowing three runs on nine hits, striking out six and walking none.
In game two, Findlay had to play comeback as they found themselves behind by the end of the fourth inning, 4-0.
The Oilers would strike for two runs of their own in the bottom of inning number five as freshman Kevin Schrock led off with a walk and was followed by a bunt single from freshman Logan Harrah. After a strikeout and hit batter, Findlay had the bases loaded with only one out. A fielder's choice and error off the bat of sophomore Jordan Garcia score two runs, bringing the score to 4-2.
That score remained until the bottom of the seventh inning with Findlay needing two runs to tie the game and three to win. The inning began with promise as Harrah collected his second bunt single of the day to lead off the inning. Following a walk to sophomore Chase Goulette, junior Tyler Donaldson laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third with one out. Garcia then walked, putting the winning run on first base. But that run would never score as the bases loaded opportunity produced just a single run, courtesy of a walk to Sickler. A pop-up and ground out ended the game with the Pioneers on top by a final of 4-3.
Harrah led the offense going 2-3 in the second game.
Freshman Mason Mayberry took the loss on the mound going 3.1 innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits. He struck out four and walked three.
The Oilers are back on the field tomorrow, March 21 for the conclusion of the series in a nine-inning game slated to begin at 1pm.