Findlay Splits on Senior Day
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay baseball team wrapped up its season with a double-header split against Ashland University on Sunday, May 8. With the win and loss, the Oilers conclude the year with a record of 17-28 overall and 10-20 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) play.
Game 1 (L 3-1) Box Score Video Replay
In the first contest, Ashland got to starter Austin Rodesky for one run in the first inning and then was held scoreless until the seventh.
Findlay had the answer in the second inning when sophomore Christion Smith doubled to left center field, advanced on a single from sophomore Pete Burkett, and then scored on a passed ball.
The teams traded zeros until, in the top of inning number seven, Ashland scored a pair of runs, giving them a 3-1 lead, the eventual final score.
Rodesky took the loss on the hill and finishes the year with a 6-7 record. He allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked two batters and struck out nine batters. The nine strikeouts give Rodesky 98 on the year, the most in UF history and the second most in the conference this season.
Sophomore Cameron Johnson finished the game with a pair of hits.
Game 2 (W 5-3) Box Score Video Replay
In the final game of the season, with the 2016 seniors being honored prior to first pitch, the Oilers jumped out to a two-run lead with a couple of runs in the bottom of the first.
The game began with back-to-back singles from freshman Brian Cappiello and Derrick Herd. After Jordan Garcia was hit by a pitch, Christion Smith hit a single, scoring the first run of the game. The next run came on a bases loaded walk to sophomore Josh Schwerer.
Two more runs crossed the plate in the fourth when Garcia led off the inning with another hit-by-pitch and advanced on a passed ball. Garcia later scored on an error. Two batters later, Christion Smith, who singled, scored on a groundout by sophomore Troy Merriman.
The final run for the Oilers came in the sixth inning when Brian Cappiello scored on a wild pitch. That score made the score 5-0.
Ashland made a comeback effort in the final innings, scoring a single run in the eighth and two in the ninth, but junior A.J. Cecil kept the tying run from crossing the plate and the Oilers' seniors were able to end their careers with a win.
Sophomore Colin Gossard got his first win of the year, now 1-5, as he pitched eight innings and allowed just one run on two hits. He struck out 12.
Playing in his final game, Jordan Garcia was a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple. He reached based five times in the contest and scored two runs.
The Orange and Black end the season fifth in the GLIAC North.