Oilers Defeat Railsplitters Behind Four-Inning Relief Effort by Bame
Harrogate, Tenn. – The University of Findlay baseball team, which entered the game second in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in batting average at .287, wrapped up their trip to Tennessee with a split against Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, March 30. The Oilers, which dropped Friday's opener, lost the first game of the day but took a win in the nightcap against the Railsplitters. Findlay now has a record of 10-12 on the season while LMU, which is receiving votes in the NCAA DII poll, is now 25-12.
Game 1 Box Score (L 10-5)
After scoring just a single run in last night's opener, Findlay jumped on top in the second game of the series as freshman Alex Foulks continued his hot streak, leading off the game with a home run, his fourth bomb in six games.
LMU took the lead, however, shortly after as they scored three runs in the second and one in the third to take a 4-1 advantage.
The teams both scored a single run in the fifth and Findlay then added two in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from junior Casey Gould and a groundout by junior Jordan Williams.
The Railsplitters then had their second three-run inning of the game when they put up a trio of runs in the sixth and, after Findlay plated a single run in the eighth, LMU added two more in the bottom of the eighth to take a commanding 10-5 lead.
Findlay scored five runs in the game on 13 hits, made one error, and left ten runners on base while Lincoln Memorial scored their ten runs on 15 hits, made one error, and left nine on base.
Sophomores Ethan St. Clair and Tyler Archambeau each finished the game 3-for-4 at the dish. St. Clair doubled and scored a run while Archambeau had one RBI.
Sophomore Ryan Johnson had one hit, a double, and a run scored while Jordan Williams also had a double, a run scored, and an RBI.
Senior Hunter Weis fell to 2-1 on the hill as he took the loss in the first game. He threw four innings and gave up five runs on ten hits. He struck out three and walked two in 23 batters faced.
Game 2 Box Score (W 7-6)
Just as they did in the day's opener, Findlay took the lead in the second contest when, after a scoreless first, Ryan Johsnon, who reached base on a dropped third strike, came around to score on a groundout by Jordan Williams. LMU tied the game in the following half inning.
In the top of the third, senior Derrick Herd singled with two outs, stole second, and scored on Johnson's second double of the day which gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead.
A three-run home run propelled the Railsplitters to a five-run inning in the bottom of the third which gave the home team the momentum and a 6-2 lead through three innings.
Findlay battled back, however, and plated four runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game. Alex Foulks led off the inning with a walk and was followed by a double to left center by freshman Brandon Emery. With runners on second and third, Derrick Herd singled to plate Foulks for the first run of the inning. An infield single by Ryan Johnson scored Emery and forced a pitching change for LMU, whose lead was now down to 6-4. A sacrifice bunt advanced runners to second and third and Casey Gould grounded out to make the score 6-5. Jordan Williams stepped up with two outs and singled to tie the game.
After a scoreless sixth, Findlay took the lead for good in the seventh. Derrick Herd walked to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Ryan Johnson. Trevor Anderson singled to advance Herd to third and the next batter, Casey Gould, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to give the Oilers the 7-6 advantage.
Freshman pitcher Trey Bame, who entered the game in the fourth, allowed a two-out double, but that was it as he closed the door on the inning and the game.
Bame picked up the win, his second of the season, as he threw four brilliant innings of relief. He scattered five hits and a walk and did not give up a run in those four innings. He struck out two batters.
Findlay ended the game with seven runs on seven hits and did not make an error while the Railsplitters, which have a team batting average of .315, scored their six runs on 12 hits, the 24th game this season LMU has reached double-digit hits.
Derrick Herd sparked the Oilers' offense as he picked up a pair of hits, scored a game-high three runs, and had one RBI. Ryan Johnson also had two hits, including a double, scored two runs and drove in two.
Brandon Emery had a double and a run scored.
Findlay will finally hold their home-opener on Friday, April 5-6 when they host G-MAC opponent Malone University. Friday's double-header will begin at 1:00 pm.