Errors Haunt Oilers in Loss to Minnesota Duluth
Leesburg, Fla. – The University of Findlay baseball team took on the University of Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, March 5 in Pat Thomas Stadium located in Leesburg, Florida. Findlay made six errors, struck out 13 times, and walked 11 batters en route to a 14-9 loss against the Bulldogs. With the loss the Oilers fall to 4-6 on the season while UMD picks up their second win, improving to 2-1.
The Oilers jumped on top in the bottom of the first inning after the first two hitters of the inning recorded outs. Freshman Cam Fararr walked and later came around to score on a base hit by senior Austin Rawlins.
Minnesota Duluth took advantage of three walks and an error in the second inning to plate four runs and take a 4-1 lead, but the Oilers came back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game. Those runs were scored on a two-RBI double by sophomore Christian Orr and a single by senior Sam Shelt Palm.
The Bulldogs came back with a single run in the fourth to tie the game and plated three in the sixth to take a 8-4 advantage.
As they had done all game, Findlay answered the call. Junior Ryan Johnson walked to start the inning and was followed by a bunt single from senior Jordan Williams. After a stolen base, senior Casey Gould singled to score Johnson and junior Ryan O'Malley singled, scoring Williams. Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, senior Nick Berry hit a sacrifice fly to center field which pulled the Oilers to within one run at 8-7.
Over the next three innings, the Bulldogs blew the game open, aided by three walks and three hit-by-pitches. By the time the Oilers came to bat in the bottom of the ninth, UMD had a 14-7 lead. Findlay recorded three hits and scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough as they would suffer a five-run loss.
In the game, Findlay scored nine runs on 12 hits and made six errors, the most errors in a game since making seven against Ohio Dominican on April 13, 2014.
Gould recorded three hits in five at-bats and picked up two RBI and two runs scored. Ryan Johnson had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Austin Rawlins recorded two hits.
Bailey McCord took the loss on the hill as he tossed 3.1 innings of relief and allowed three runs, two earned, and walked four batters.
Findlay will wrap up their Florida trip on Friday, March 6 with a game against Northern State University. That contest will begin at 10:00 am.