Oilers Drop 14-7 Shootout to Lewis Flyers
Auburndale, FL – The University of Findlay baseball team dropped to 2-4 on the season following a 14-7 loss on Wednesday, March 4 to the Lewis University Flyers.
The story was offense and it began early for Findlay as the bottom of the first inning with a lead-off double from Peter Yorgen who scored on the next pitch when Jon Shollenberger bounced a ball up the middle to give Findlay the 1-0 lead.
Lewis came back with a pair of runs in the top of inning number three giving the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
That lead didn't last long as Logan Harrah singled and stole second. With two outs, Harrah was driven in with a single from Kevin Schrock, tying the ball game at 2-2 after four innings.
Lewis scored in the top of the sixth inning but Findlay again had an answer.
With one out, Jordan Garcia was hit by a pitch, Harrah singled, Schrock singled, and Merriman grounded out to score Garcia. That run tied the game at 3-3 through six.
Then offense happened.
Alexander Theiss, making his first collegiate start, exited the game and gave way to Eric Schrand. The freshman allowed three runs in the inning but the Oilers offense remained confident at the dish as they scored four runs in the bottom half.
The inning began with a couple of outs but a walk to Chase Goulette, a single from Roman Kuster, and a walk to Garcia loaded the bases. Austin Adams came in to pinch hit and was hit by the second pitch of the at –bat, scoring Goulette. Schrock followed the HBP with a single to right-center that scored Garcia and Kuster. Troy Merriman also delivered for Findlay with a single that scored pinch-runner Josh Schwerer to give the Oilers the 7-6 lead after seven.
That was the last Findlay scored however as Lewis scored five runs in the eighth and three in the ninth to put their lead to 14-7, the eventual final score.
Theiss pitched a good game in his first start as he went six innings and allowed seven hits, three runs, and struck out four.
Anthony Ondrejcak took the loss on the mound as he pitched 1.1 and allowed five runs, none of which were earned.
Schrock was locked in at the plate and collected three hits and three RBI.
Yorgen had two hits, both of which were doubles, and scored a run.
Goulette continued his stellar hitting as he went 2 for 4 in the game, scoring a run, while Harrah and Merriman also picked up a pair of hits. Merriman had two RBI's.
Findlay will take the field again as they take on Missouri-St. Louis tomorrow in Cocoa Beach, Florida for a double-header set to begin at noon. There will be LIVE VIDEO and LIVE STATS for the game.