Ninth Inning Magic Gives Oilers Game 1 Victory

Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay baseball team split a double-header on Saturday, March 26 to Northwood University. The split gave the Timberwolves the 3-1 series win and gave the Oilers an 8-9 record overall with a 1-3 mark in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.

Game 1: W 6-5 (9 inn.)  Box Score Walk Off Highlight

Despite giving up a 4-1 lead late in the game, Findlay won in dramatic fashion to win their first GLIAC game of the year.

Northwood was able to take a 1-0 lead with a single run in top the third inning but the bottom half of the third is when the Oilers got a big hit with two outs.

Sophomore Troy Merriman, who picked up a couple of hits in game one, roped a one-out single to left center field and was followed by a walk to junior Logan Harrah. After a pop out, freshman Derrick Herd picked up an infield single and loaded the bases. That brought Josh Schwerer to the plate and the Oilers' sophomore delivered with a double to left-center field, plating three runs. Schwerer then scored on an RBI single from junior Peter Yorgen, giving Findlay a 4-1 lead.

The Timberwolves chipped away at the lead as they scored a couple of runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to tie the game at four and send the game to extra innings.

After surrendering a run in the top of the ninth, Findlay was on the plus side of some late-inning magic.

Sophomore Christion Smith led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left and was pulled for pinch runner, freshman Jordan Williams. Williams advanced on a sac bunt from sophomore Cameron Johnson and was followed by a walk to Merriman. Harrah then delivered with his first double of the season. The junior pulled a pitch down the right field line that scored Williams and, thanks to a bobble from the right fielder, Merriman was able to score from first, giving the Oilers the walk off victory.

Junior AJ Cecil picked up the win in relief as he pitched two and a third innings and allowed one run, none earned, on one hit. He struck out three.

Freshman Mark Delas started on the mound for Findlay and pitched four and two-thirds and allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits. He struck out one and walked seven.

Inside the Box Score

• Schwerer was hot at the plate as he picked up a couple of hits, both doubles, three RBI, and a run scored.
• Merriman also had a two-hit performance and scored two runs.
• Harrah was 1-for-2 with a double, run scored, and an RBI.

Game 2: L 2-0 (7 inn.)  Box Score    Video Replay

The second contest was a pitchers dual in which the Oilers' offense struggled, and yet in the final inning, Findlay found itself with a chance to plate some runs.

Northwood took the lead as they were the first on the board in the sixth inning, scoring two runs. In the bottom of the seventh, the Oilers had their best chance to score as back-to-back walks were issued to Jordan Garcia and Mark Delas. However, a fielder's choice and strike out ended the threat as Findlay dropped the game and the series to the Timberwolves.

Sophomore Alexander Theiss took the loss on the mound as he pitched five and two-thirds and allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Josh Schwere finished the day with three doubles (one in game two) and freshman Brian Cappiello picked up his first collegiate hit, a double in the third inning.

Findlay will be back in action on Tuesday, March 26 when they travel to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons. That game will begin at 3:05 pm.