Findlay Scores in 10th to Earn First GLIAC Win
On Wednesday, March 26, he University of Findlay baseball team, still unable to play at the friendly confines of The Cube, hit the road to VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, OH for make-up contests vs. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Tiffin University in a series opening double-header. The Oilers took Game 1 in walk-off fashion by a final of 2-1, earning the first conference win of the year.
In a contest that was dominated by pitching, Findlay was able to muster the offense it needed to support the strong performance on the mound from Drew Hargrove.
The Dragons struck early as they put together three straight hits in the first inning and scored a run, the only run of the day for Tiffin as Hargrove settled down and pitched seven scoreless innings.
After that first inning, only one base runner advanced to third base for either team, until the bottom half of the fifth.
The Oilers began their half with two quick outs and it appeared as though another scoreless inning was in the making, that is, until Michael Louis came to the plate. The senior ripped a single through the left side of the infield and was followed by Tyler Donaldson who hit a soft line drive to center. Tiffin's outfielder made a diving attempt that failed and the ball rolled slowly into the outfield. Louis was able to come around and score on the play and Donaldson strolled into third with a triple and RBI, but most importantly, the tying run Findlay needed. Jordan Garcia then walked and stole second, but a strikeout ended the threat.
Pitching again took over. Between the fifth and tenth innings, Tiffin amassed just three hits and Findlay had zero.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, with one out, Garcia singled through the box into center field and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Kevin Schrock then to third on a passed ball. Enter Reid Rothenbuhler. The senior took an outside fastball through the right side of the infield, scoring Garcia and ending the game with a mob scene at first base.
In the no-decision effort, Hargrove went eight innings and allowed just one run on seven hits. He walked two and struck out five and threw 106 pitches.
Alex Williams, who earned the win, came out of the bullpen and imposed his dominance as he set down all six hitters he faced.
Leading the offense for Findlay was Garcia, who showed he was comfortable in the lead-off role as he went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Rothenbuhler, Louis, Donaldson, and Joe Sickler each collected a hit in the win.
Game 2 is underway. Click HERE for live stats.