Oilers Walk Off in Nightcap to Earn Split with Rockhurst
Sanford, Fla. – The University of Findlay baseball team split a doubleheader with Rockhurst University on Monday, March 2 in Sanford, Florida. The Hawks took the first game of the day with a 10-9, extra inning walk-off victory and the Oilers returned the favor with an 8-7 walk-off win in the nightcap. With the split, Findlay is now 4-4 on the year while Rockhurst moves to 7-5 on the season.
On a day where hitters had the upper hand, the Oilers jumped out to an early lead in the opener when senior Austin Rawlins blasted a two out, two run homerun to right center field in the top of the first inning, the first of six home runs between the two teams.
With the score knotted up at 3-3 through four innings, Findlay regained control of the game in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run off the bat of freshman Cam Farrar. However, Rockhurst plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-5 lead.
In the top of the sixth, senior Nick Berry sent a ball deep over the wall in left field to tie the game at 6-6 with his first career home run, ultimately sending the game, which was scheduled for seven innings, into extra innings.
An eighth inning RBI double off the bat of junior Tyler Burley gave Findlay the 7-6 lead and, later in the inning, Cam Farrar hit his second two-run bomb of the game to extend the Oilers' lead to 9-6.
Rockhurst's offense, which finished with 16 hits in the game, came to life in the bottom of the eighth as they used four hits, two hit by pitch, and an intentional walk to plate four runs and win the game on a walk-off single.
Senior Jameson Jacobs took the loss on the hill after throwing 2.1 innings and allowing four runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out two. Senior Tyler Rendlesham had the no-decision as Findlay's starter and three five innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on 11 hits. He walked three and struck out four.
Farrar put together his best game so far in the Orange and Black as he finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, a walk, four RBI, and three runs scored.
Berry finished the game 2-for-3 with a pair of hits, including a home run, two runs scored and one RBI while Burley also had two hits including a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Sophomore Christian Orr had a pair of hits, as well.
In the nightcap, it was Rockhurst who took control of the game, riding the momentum of their extra-inning walk-off win to start the day. The Hawks scored six unanswered runs through the first four innings of play.
Findlay finally found the sticks in the bottom of the fifth when, with the bases loaded and two outs, Cam Farrar kept his big day rolling with an RBI single to left center that sent two runs home, closing the gap to 6-2. After a wild pitch, Austin Rawlins hit a chopper to first base that bounced over the head of the Hawks' first baseman, scoring two more runs for Findlay and making the score 6-4.
Rockhurst went 1-2-3 in the sixth to set up another big inning for Findlay. Junior Tyler Archambeau hit a ground rule double to right field to lead off the inning and was followed by a walk to senior Jordan Williams. After a sacrifice bunt from Casey Gould, who would eventually play hero to end the night, Nick Berry walked to load the bases. A walk to Christian Orr sent a run home and trimmed the Hawks' lead to 6-5.
The next batter, Tyler Burley, popped out in foul territory to the Rockhurst first baseman. Jordan Williams, who was on third, faked as if he would try to score on the play which would advance Berry from second to third. Instead, Williams returned and Berry was caught up between second and third. The Hawks threw to second in an attempt to tag out Berry, and on the play, Williams scrambled home and slid in safely to tie the game 6-6.
Rockhurst scored a run in the top of the seventh to take a 7-6 lead, but in the bottom of the seventh, after two quick outs to start the frame, a hit by pitch and walk set the table for Casey Gould. Gould laced a two-strike pitch to left center field for a double that scored two runs, ending the game in celebration for the Orange and Black.
Gould finished the game with two hits, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored while Austin Rawlins also had two hits and picked up two RBI.
Sophomore Trey Bame started for Findlay and tossed 2.1 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits. He walked five and struck out four.
Sophomore Gavin Bailey got the win in relief after throwing a third of an inning, picking up the final out of the top of the seventh.
Findlay is back on the field on Wednesday, March 4 when they will play Grand Valley State. That game will begin at 1:00 pm.