Hillsdale, Mich. – The University of Findlay baseball team wrapped up a four-game series against Hillsdale College with a doubleheader sweep on Monday, April 20. Following a split in the first two games on Friday, the Oilers took both games on Monday, winning the opener 6-4 and the nightcap 4-3. By taking three out of the four games in the series, Findlay improves its overall record to 27-15 with an 18-6 mark in G-MAC play while Hillsdale falls to 18-22 (12-12 G-MAC).
Game 1 (W 6-4)
Findlay defeated Hillsdale 6-4 in the first game of the day. The Oilers established an early lead by scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. That inning got started with a triple by Gavyn Smith. He, and Mason Myers who walked, later scored on a double by Isaac Ramos.
The Oilers then manufactured two more runs in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead, however Hillsdale poured it on for four runs in the bottom of the third to pull back into the game.
In the fifth, Keelan Daniel led off with a double and later scored to make it 6-4 which, in the seven-inning game, would be enough to secure the win.
Offensively, Mason Myers drove the run production, finishing with two RBIs and a stolen base. Keelan Daniel contributed with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base, while Gavyn Smith added a triple. Isaac Ramos also chipped in a pair of RBI and stole a base.
Starting pitcher Aidan Kiessling earned the win, improving his record to 4-4 on the year. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out five batters. Colin Becker closed the game out by throwing 2.1 scoreless, one-hit innings of relief, striking out three to earn his fifth save of the season.
Game 2 (W 4-3)
In the series finale, Findlay edged out a tight 4-3 victory over the Chargers to complete the doubleheader sweep.
The Oilers struck early in the top of the first inning using small ball. Nick Palm drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0.
Findlay manufactured another run in the fifth. Isaac Ramos singled and moved into scoring position on a catcher's error before Nick Palm brought him home with an RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 2-0. Hillsdale finally broke through against the Findlay bullpen in the bottom of the eighth with a run.
Looking for insurance in the top of the ninth, Nick Palm singled to set the stage for Casey Maruniak, who launched a clutch two-run home run to push the advantage to 4-1. The Chargers made things interesting in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout by Aaron Jasiak, but the Oilers held on.
Casey Maruniak provided the decisive blow for the offense with his two-run homer. Nick Palm was good at the top of the lineup, recording three hits, a walk, two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
Starting pitcher David Jimenez turned in a strong performance, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings, scattering just three hits, and striking out two. Connor Evanich earned the win in relief after taking over for Jimenez and tossing two scoreless innings to navigate the middle frames. Colin Becker then entered in the ninth and secured the final outs, including a game-ending strikeout looking, to earn his sixth save of the year.
Findlay hosts Lake Erie College for a four-game set this weekend, starting on Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 pm.
