Cincinnati, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team kicked off a four-game series against the Wayne State University Warriors on Friday, Feb. 27 at Hayden Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Oilers got behind early and ultimately fell by a score of 9-2. That defeat gives Findlay a record 4-5 while Wayne State stays hot to start the year, improving to 8-1.

Wayne State took control early, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run. The Warriors extended their advantage to 3-0 in the second inning with a two-run homer.

The Oilers answered and got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Keelan Daniel drew a walk, stole second base, and later scored on an RBI single to right-center field by Mason Myers to make it 3-1.

However, Wayne State continued to build its lead, adding two runs in the third inning, one in the sixth, and three in the seventh to put the game out of reach. The seventh-inning surge was highlighted by a two-run home run.

Findlay pushed across a final run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter Zach Casey singled to center field and was brought home by an RBI double to right-center from pinch-hitter Evan Reiter.

Starting pitcher Sebastian Stevens took the loss (0-1) on the mound for the Oilers, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on five hits while striking out three. Dylan Rouse tossed 3.0 innings of relief, giving up three runs, and Blake Hauenstein pitched a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one batter.

Offensively, Palm led Findlay with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Myers and Reiter each contributed a hit and an RBI for the Oilers, while Casey and Daniel scored the team's two runs.

The Oilers and Warriors will be back in action tomorrow, Feb. 28 with a doubleheader starting at noon. The games will again be played at Hayden Field on the campus of Xavier University.