Oilers Walk Off in Game 1 vs Ashland | Earn Friday Split
Tiffin, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team took on the Ashland University Eagles in the second of two doubleheaders on Friday, March 17. Due to poor field conditions, the last two games of the series were moved to Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio with the Oilers still serving as the home team. The first game on Friday was the second-consecutive extra inning affair of the series, this time with Findlay coming out on top by a score of 11-10. Game two was all Eagles as the visitors came away with a 7-2 victory.
Through one series in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play, the Oilers now sit with a record of 7-9 overall and a 1-3 mark the G-MAC while Ashland now has a record of 10-6 and 3-1 in league play.
The first inning of the day was an indicator of what was to come for that first contest, which was scheduled to be a seven-inning affair. Ashland opened with three runs in the top of the first, but the Oilers answered, scoring three runs of their own.
Fast forward to the bottom of the sixth, Findlay trailed 9-6 but, with two outs, senior Cam Farrar singled and freshman Casey Maruniak went deep over the scoreboard in right field, pulling the Oilers within one at 9-8.
In the bottom of the seventh, Findlay trailed by two. Senior Derek Fay reached on an error, but two quick outs made the result look dire for the home team. Sophomore Tanner Herrera singled to left and senior Aidan Lao was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for senior Cole Kwiatkowski. The shortstop delivered, driving a ball to left and sending two runs home, tying the game at 10-10, forcing extra innings.
A scoreless eighth sent the game to the ninth and Ashland threatened, loaded the bases with two outs. Freshman pitcher Carson Mellott, who would pick up the win, struck out the final batter of the inning, ending the threat with three runners left on base.
In the bottom of the ninth, Herrera walked, but a double play emptied the bases with two outs. Again, Kwiatkowski delivered, doubling to right center. An intentional walk to Farrar and infield single by Maruniak loaded the bases for senior Nate Brooks. Brooks picked up the RBI when he took ball four after a 3-2 count, sending the winning run home.
Senior Kyron Rogers had a pair of hits in the game, including a triple, and led the team with three RBI. Maruniak had two hits, including a home run, two RBI and two runs scored while Kwiatkowski had two hits, including a double, two RBI and two runs scored, including the game-winner.
Farrar and Brooks also had two hits, apiece. Farrar had one RBI and two runs scored while Brooks had two RBI and one run scored.
Freshman Braeden Goulet started on the mound and tossed 4.1 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He walked three and struck out two.
Mellott was the winning pitcher as he tossed one inning and danced around two hits and a walk.
The second contest did not go as well for the Oilers, although Findlay did take an early lead. Back-to-back singles by Lao and Kwiatkowski started the inning and, after a pop up, Maruniak reached on a fielder's choice, sending Lao home to put Findlay up 1-0.
Ashland scored two on a home run in the second to take a 2-1 advantage. In the bottom of the inning, sophomore Austin Adelman doubled down the left field line, scoring senior Trey Bame who singled to lead off the inning.
The Eagles went on to score five unanswered runs, leading to a 7-2 victory in the game and a series win.
Brooks had three hits including a triple in the second game while Bame had two hits.
Senior Bailey McCord suffered the loss in the game, falling to 1-2 on the year. He tossed six innings and allowed seven runs, six earned, on six hits. He walked four and struck out three.
Findlay is back on the field on Tuesday, March 21 for a single game at the University of Indianapolis.