Photo by: Daye Harter
Photo by: Daye Harter

DH Sweep Propels Oilers to 9-0

Lakeland, Fla. – The University of Findlay baseball team improved to 9-0 on the year with a double-header sweep of Lewis University on Wednesday, March 9. The Flyers fell to 0-10 on the season.

Game 1 | W 10-3 (Box Score)

The Oilers showed toughness in the first game of the double-header and responded to an early two-run deficit with a season-best offensive performance.

Lewis scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to take a lead. After sending up the minimum six hitters through two innings, Findlay sent seven to the plate in a four-run third. Cameron Johnson led off with a single and, after a fly out, the Lewis second baseman made an error to put two runners on for Logan Harrah. Harrah hit a ball on one hop to the left field fence for a two-RBI triple that tied the game. Derrick Herd followed with a single, scoring Harrah, and after a fielder's choice, Peter Yorgen singled to score Pete Burkett. After the inning, Findlay led 4-2.

Three more runs in the bottom of the fifth and three in the sixth would bring the Oilers to ten runs scored, the first time this season that the Orange and Black has scored double-digit runs.

Alexander Theiss was stellar on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowing just one earned run. He scattered eight hits, walked two, and struck out five in the win.

Harrah and Derrick Herd had three hits each for Findlay. Harrah, who had a triple in the contest, scored three runs and had three RBI to lead the offense.

Findlay finished with ten runs on 13 hits and made one error while Lewis scored three runs on eight hits. They made four errors.

Game 2 | W 6-2 (Box Score)

Findlay wasted no time getting on top in the second game, putting up four runs in the top of the second. With runners at second and third, Troy Merriman singled to left, but the ball went through the fielder's legs and rolled to the fence. Two runs scored and Merriman raced to third. He scored on a passed ball.

Lewis answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, but single runs for Findlay in the third and sixth innings would earn Findlay the win.

Freshman Drew Kline got his first college start and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits. He walked three and struck out one and gave way in the fourth to Josh Robinson. Robinson finished the game to earn the win, the first of his career. He tossed 3.2 innings and did not allow a run on two hits. He struck out four.

Troy Merriman was the only Findlay batter with multiple hits, going two-for-three in the game with a run scored. Peter Yorgen and Miguel Valdez each had hits for the Oilers.

Findlay will end their Florida trip with a single game on Friday, March 10 against the St. Joseph (Ind.) Pumas.