Oilers Split on Senior Day
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay baseball team celebrated its seniors accomplishments on Sunday, April 26, that group's final home games at Fifth Third Field. The Oilers hosted Wayne State University and split a doubleheader, moving their record to 12-30 overall and 7-19 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.
Game 1: UF 3 WSU 2 (8 Innings)
With a stiff breeze blowing in from center field, it was apparent from the beginning of the contest that it would be a pitchers dual and that was exactly the case as Austin Rodesky and WSU's Kyle Zimmerman went toe-to-toe for six innings.
The Oilers cracked the scoreboard first as they plated a single run in the bottom of the first inning when Josh Schwerer picked on the first pitch he saw and drove it into the left field corner. Schwerer ended up with a triple on the play and crossed the dish when Cameron Johnson roped a single up the middle.
In the bottom of the third, Findlay added on thanks to a leadoff single from Pete Burkett, who later scored on a groundout from Peter Yorgen, putting the Oilers up 2-0.
Wayne State finally scored in the sixth inning and tied the game at two, ultimately sending the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Findlay got the break they needed as Schwerer again ripped a ball down the left field line. The ball was undoubtedly close to being foul but skipped over third base for a leadoff double. Johnson bunted Schwerer over to third and he scored on a sac fly from Yorgen, ending the game in walk-off fashion, 3-2.
Rodesky got the start and pitched well as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before the Warriors finally tallied their first base knock. The Oilers starter picked up seven strikeouts and allowed just two runs on three hits in six innings of work.
Alex Williams came out of the bullpen to get the win and he pitched two innings, striking out two.
Schwerer led the offense as he picked up two hits, five total bases, and two runs scored.
Johnson also had a pair of hits and had an RBI while Yorgen had two RBI.
The second contest began similarly as the Oilers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning.
That inning began when Jon Shollenberger and Troy Merriman both beat out infield singles with one out. Kevin Schrock then laced a single to right field, scoring Shollenberger.
Wayne State would answer with a pair of runs in the fourth inning and three in the sixth, putting the game out of reach and the Oilers fell by a 5-1 final.
Jon Walker took the loss on the mound as he threw 5.2 innings and allowed five runs, one earned, on four hits. He struck out six and walked two.
The Oilers next game is to be determined and once scheduled, will be posted online.