Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team played its' first true home contests of the season on Saturday, March 21, finally getting games in at the Marathon Diamonds in Findlay to kick off a four-game series with Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) foe Kentucky Wesleyan. The Oilers, who have now beaten KWC in eight of its' last nine matchups, won the day's opener by an 11-1 run-rule in eight innings before securing a 4-1 victory in the nightcap. The sweep brings Findlay's overall record to 13-9 on the year and 5-1 in G-MAC play, while Kentucky Wesleyan falls to 12-12 overall and 2-4 in conference action. It is the fifth consecutive win for the Oilers.
Game 1 (W 11-1 | 8 inn.)
In the opener, stellar pitching combined with a timely offense allowed the Oilers to pull away for an 11-1 run-rule victory.
After three scoreless innings, Findlay got on the board in the fourth inning when sophomore Mason Myers drilled a double and ultimately scored on a groundout by sophomore Isaac Ramos.
The Oilers then broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning, followed by three runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to walk it off.
After a hit-by-pitch to start the sixth, junior Luke Senften quickly followed with a single through the right side, advancing senior Casey Maruniak to third. Mason Myers then delivered an RBI single to left field, bringing Maruniak home to make it 2-0.
The momentum continued when senior Gavyn Smith laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached base safely on a throwing error by the Kentucky Wesleyan catcher. The error allowed Senften to score and moved Myers to third base. Isaac Ramos capped the explosive inning by lining a two-run single to right field, driving in both Myers and Smith to comfortably extend the Oilers' advantage to 5-0.
The seventh-inning surge was highlighted by a two-run single through the right side, again from Mason Myers, scoring Luke Senften and Casey Maruniak. Gavyn Smith followed immediately with an RBI double to left-center to bring Myers home. A Myers double in the bottom of the eighth sealed the walkoff win.
Myers finished the game with a career-high four hits, including two doubles, scoring three runs and driving in four to lead the offense. Maruniak reached base four times, driving in two runs, scoring three runs, and stealing three bases.
On the mound, Findlay pitching completely silenced the Panthers' lineup, scattering just four hits over eight innings and allowing a single run in the seventh. That effort was led by senior Ethan Mohr who improved to 3-0 on the year, throwing 6.2 innings and allowing just a single earned run. He struck out a career-high 12 batters, the most strikeouts by a Findlay pitcher in two years.
Game 2 (W 4-1)
The Oilers carried their strong pitching into the second game, shutting down Kentucky Wesleyan to secure a 4-1 win and the doubleheader sweep.
Findlay did the majority of its damage in the bottom of the third inning, started by a single from freshman Drew Tucker. After a walk, a Casey Maruniak double plated two runs. Maruniak later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gavyn Smith.
Kentucky Wesleyan managed to score their only run of the game in the top of the fourth, but the Oilers responded with a final insurance run in the sixth inning to make it 4-1.
Starting pitcher senior Carson Mellott turned in a brilliant performance for Findlay, keeping the Panthers off balance for most of the contest. The senior tossed 5.0 innings and gave up just one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out seven to improve to 2-1 on the year.
senior Colin Becker entered the game in relief in the sixth inning and effectively shut the door, throwing two innings without allowing a run. He struck out three en route to picking up his third save of the season.
Findlay and Kentucky Wesleyan will wrap up the series tomorrow with another double header starting at 1:00 pm.
