Newberry, SC- The University of Findlay's baseball team concluded their spring trip south with a series sweep of the Newberry College Wolves. The Oilers won the opener by a score of 11-8 and later won a narrow 12-11, twelve inning showdown against the Wolves. With the two victories, Findlay is now 4-7 on the year while Newberry falls to 4-14.
Game One (W 11-8)
The Oilers got on the board first, posting two runs in the top of the second inning. Freshman Aiden Booth recorded his first career home run, sending sophomore Andrew Williams home.
Findlay grew their lead in the third when senior Cam Farrar hit a sacrifice fly to send senior Aidan Lao home. Sophomore Keelan Daniel then took advantage of a throwing error to put the Orange and Black ahead by four.
Newberry was able to put one run up on the board in the bottom of the fifth but Findlay answered right back, putting two more up to bring the score to 6-1.
The Wolves scored five runs in the sixth to bring the Oilers lead to just one. The home team eventually tied the game up at 6-6 with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
In the top of the eighth inning, with the bases loaded, Daniel hit a single to left field, driving in two runs and putting the Oilers back in the lead. Farrar then followed with a single of his own, bringing Lao home. Freshman Luke Senften also hit a single, scoring both Farrar and Daniel, which would be the final runs scored by Findlay.
Despite Newberry scoring two more runs in the final innings, it wasn't enough to overcome the Oilers' lead as the Orange and Black secured the 11-8 victory.
Booth had an impressive game, hitting a home run and a double in the contest. He went 2-for-5 at the plate, recording two RBIs and scoring two runs. Lao also had a strong performance, going 4-for-5 and scoring two runs.
Earning the win on the mound was sophomore Connor Evanich who threw just over one inning. He allowed just one run on one hit. Senior Sebastian Jones received the save allowing just one hit with no runs.
Game Two
The nightcap saw Newberry get on the board first, putting three runs up in the first inning. Findlay would answer back in the top of the second putting up a single run off a sacrifice fly by senior Andrew Micale.
The Oilers managed to tie the score in the top of the fourth inning. However, Newberry capitalized on three walks and three hit batters, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take an 8-3 lead.
Newberry retired the next three Oilers to continue their rampage, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to bring the score to 10-3 in favor of the home team. Yet, Findlay slowly chipped away at their lead, scoring three runs in the sixth inning, one in the seventh, and three in the eighth. The teams exchanged runs in the eighth and ninth innings to leave the score tied at 11-11 to force extra innings.
Sophomore Keelan Daniel blasted a home run to right field to put the Oilers ahead one. Needing just three outs to win, Findlay did just that, capping the night with a looking strikeout courtesy of senior Sebastian Jones.
Daniel led Findlay on offense, going 2-for-5 at the plate, including a game-winning home run that earned him one RBI. Micale went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and freshman Nick Palm also recorded two RBIs while going 2-for-5.
Earning the win on the mound was Jones who threw just over three innings. He gave up no runs while allowing just two hits. He struck out five.
The Oilers will be back in action Friday, March 8 as they take on Salem on the road for a double header. Those games will begin at 2pm and 5pm.
