Cincinnati, Ohio - The University of Findlay baseball team kicked off their season on Friday, Feb. 14 as they faced Grand Valley State University in a twin bill.  Despite the frigid temperatures, the Oilers bats got off to a hot start, dominating the Lakers by a score of 16-2.  Findlay would fall in the second game 5-4, which was called after just six innings due to darkness.  With the split, both the Oilers and the Lakers start the season with a record of 1-1.

Findlay's 16 runs in the first game are the most scored in a season-opener by the Oilers in the NCAA era of the program.

Game 1 (16-2)
GVSU would get the scoring started early, as they took an early 1-0 lead as a first inning.  A walk and single allowed the Lakers to score their first run of the season by way of a sacrifice fly.

This early run by the Lakers would not faze the Oilers, as a lead-off hit by pitch from sophomore Aiden Booth was followed by a no-doubt home run by Ryan Thompson.  The junior's home run marked the third of his career, and gave Findlay a 2-1 lead.

The rest of the game would be controlled by the Oilers, as ten hits and four GVSU errors allowed them to pile on 16 runs and end the game in a run rule.

The Oilers offense was led by designated hitter Luke Senften, who finished the game a perfect 4-4 at the plate.  The sophomore would add four runs and three RBIs to his impressive start to the year.

The power was present in the Findlay outfield, as along with Thompson, outfielders Casey Maruniak and Keelan Daniel would record their first home runs of the year.

First team all-conference pitcher Logan Bragg would pick up right where he left off last season, going six strong innings to earn his first win of the year and holding the Lakers offense to just two runs.  Junior Aiden Weiland would finish the job, coming in and throwing a scoreless seventh inning.

Game 2 (5-4)
Wanting to wash from memory the first game, GVSU would once again get on the board first.  A home run over the right field wall in the top of the first inning would give them an early 1-0 lead.

The Oilers would once again respond on offense as in the bottom of the inning they would tie the game at one after a Maruniak single would score sophomore Nick Palm who led the inning off with a walk.  They would add more in the bottom of the second, as a possible inning ending double play chance was erased after an errant throw from the Lakers pitcher sailed into center.  This allowed Findlay to tack on three more runs as Daniel and Maruinak would be credited with RBIs.  

After a few quiet innings, Grand Valley would take the lead in the top of the sixth after a line shot back up the middle scored both the fourth and fifth run for the Lakers to take a 5-4 lead.  

After the Oilers would go scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, the game would be called due to darkness.  Carson Mellott would suffer the loss, as he tossed two innings in relief.  He would give up two runs on two hits and two walks.

Up Next
The Oilers will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Marion, Ill to take on Lewis University and the University of Indianapolis at Mtn Dew Park.  The first game will be on Friday Feb. 21 at 6 pm.