Oilers Sweep Double-Header | Off to 4-0 Start

Findlay, OH - The University of Findlay baseball team is off to a 4-0 start after sweeping a double-header against Barry University, out of the Sunshine State Conference, on Sunday, March 5.

Game 1 (9-2 W | Box Score)

The Oilers scored 8+ runs for the third time in as many games when they took the first game against the Buccaneers by a score of 9-2.

Findlay got on top in the second inning when junior Troy Merriman roped a double to left-center field that scored senior Peter Yorgen, who tripled to start off the inning. The Oilers came back in the top of the third and added three more runs, the big blow coming on a double from junior Josh Schwerer that scored sophomore Jordan Williams and Yorgen.

After another run in the fourth, Findlay blew the game open with four runs in the fifth. Yorgen singled to start the inning and was followed by a pair of hit by pitches. Junior Cameron Johnson singled to plate a pair of runs and, after a single from sophomore Derrick Herd, junior Pete Burkett singled to score another couple of runs. Through five innings, Findlay held a 9-1 lead.

A home run in the sixth for Barry would be the final run of the game as senior Austin Rodesky would pitch the complete game and earn his second win of the year. Rodesky allowed four hits and two runs while walking three and striking out seven.

Yorgen went a perfect 4-for-4 and scored three runs in the game while senior Logan Harrah and Burkett picked up a pair of hits, each. 

Findlay finished with nine runs on 12 hits and made one error while the Buccaneers scored a pair of runs on four hits. They made three errors.

Game 2 (W 3-2 [8 inn.] | Box Score)

Barry took the lead in the second game when they scored single runs in the third and fourth innings.

Findlay answered in the bottom of the fourth when Harrah reached on an error to begin the inning and later scored with two outs when Yorgen, who finished the day with six hits, doubled down the right field line.

Harrah reached on an error to lead off the sixth and was followed by Burkett who also reached via the error. A groundout from junior Christion Smith scored Harrah and tied the game at 2-2.

A.J. Cecil came in relief in the seventh inning and escaped with runners in scoring position in both the seventh and the eighth innings.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Burkett drilled a ball to right field that hit half-way up the fence. He reached with a double. A groundout moved Burkett to third base. With a red-hot Yorgen at the dish, the Buccanneers decided to issue an intentional walk. The first attempt sailed over the catcher's head, but Burkett remained at third base. The second pitch of the intentional free pass was thrown into the ground and bounced to the backstop, allowing Burkett to slide into home plate for the walk off win.

Yorgen had two hits in three at-bats and had an RBI while Harrah scored two of Findlay's three runs.

Junior Colin Gossard had the start on the hill and pitched six and two-thirds innings and allowed just two runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out nine.

A.J. Cecil picked up his second win of the season in the game. He pitched one and a third and did not allow a run on two hits.

Findlay is back on the diamond tomorrow when they take on West Virginia Wesleyan in a double-header beginning at 9:15am.