Cedarville, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team ran its streak of wins to 12 games with another Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) series sweep on Monday, March 30, winning both games of a doubleheader against Cedarville University. The Oilers won the opener by a score of 6-0 and then won the nightcap 9-2. Those wins give Findlay a record of 20-9 overall with an 11-1 record in league play. Cedarville falls to 11-17 overall and 5-7 in the G-MAC.
This marks the first time in program history that the Oilers have reached the 20-win mark before the calendar turned to April.
Game 1 (W 6-0)
Findlay jumped in front in the second inning on RBI singles by Mike Sciortino and a bases loaded walk to Drew Tucker. Three innings later another run scored when Gavyn Smith, who singled with one out, scored on a double by Mason Myers.
In the sixth, the Oilers added all the insurance they would need. Tucker led off with a double and scored on a single by G-MAC RBI leader Casey Maruniak. He stole second and third and then scored in a single by Smith.
In the top of the seventh, Mike Sciortino provided the final exclamation point for the Findlay offense. He stepped up to the plate and crushed a solo home run to left field on the very first pitch of the at-bat, giving the Oilers a commanding 6-0 advantage that the bullpen easily protected.
Starting pitcher Aidan Kiessling earned the win. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing zero runs and just one hit. Sebastian Stevens entered in relief in the sixth inning and recorded the final outs to complete the combined one-hit shutout.
Offensively, Gavyn Smith, Mason Myers, and Mike Sciortino led the team with two hits each.
Game 2 (W 9-2)
Again, Findlay started the game in front, scoring two runs in the first inning to take the lead in the series finale.
In the sixth, already leading 5-0, an infield single by Tucker scored Garrett Given and, with two on already, a pair of walks sent another run home. After a pitching change, another walk, the third of the inning, put Findlay in front 8-0.
Several Oilers had big days at the plate to fuel the blowout. From the leadoff spot, Drew Tucker was constisten, reaching base four times by going 2-for-4 with two walks, two RBIs, two stolen bases, and a game-high three runs scored. Luke Senften finished a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
On the mound, starting pitcher David Jimenez turned in a solid performance to earn the win. Jimenez completely shut down the Yellow Jackets, throwing six scoreless innings while scattering just three hits and striking out five. The bullpen took over from there, with Connor Evanich tossing two innings. Kole Maxwell then entered in the bottom of the ninth and easily retired the side to seal the 9-2 victory.
Findlay is back in action on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, for a four-game set with the Tiffin Dragons.
