Bowling Green, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team concluded its regular season by splitting a doubleheader against Northwood University on Saturday, May 2 at Steller Field. Findlay took the opening game 4-2 before falling 14-6 in the series finale. With the split, the Oilers end the regular season with a 23-9 record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and finish as the runner-up in the North Division. Findlay has secured the No. 3 seed in the tournament and will head to Mason, Ohio, to compete in the G-MAC Tournament at Prasco Park starting next Wednesday.
Game 1 (W 4-2)
In the first game of the day, Findlay claimed a 4-2 victory over the Timberwolves. Starting pitcher Aidan Kiessling got the nod for the Oilers and helped set the tone for the win.
The Oilers started quickly, jumping out to an early lead by manufacturing two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
After the pitching staff held Northwood scoreless through the first four frames, Findlay added another crucial run in the bottom of the fifth to extend their advantage to 3-0.
Northwood made a late push, finally breaking through with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, the Oilers answered right back in the bottom half of the frame. Drew Tucker provided a critical insurance run by ripping a triple to right-center field, eventually scoring on a fielding error by the Northwood shortstop to make it 4-2.
Top offensive performers for Findlay included Drew Tucker with his key triple, while Nick Palm also contributed an extra-base hit with a double.
Kiessling tossed 5.1 innings and did not allow an earned run, walking one in the process. Senior Colin Becker came on for the save, throwing 1.2 innings, allowing just one run on one hit.
Game 2 (L 14-6)
In the regular season finale, Findlay suffered a 14-6 loss despite building a solid early lead. Starting pitcher David Jimenez took the mound for the Oilers to begin the nightcap.
Northwood opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the second inning, but the Oilers immediately responded with a three-run rally in the bottom half of the frame to take a 3-2 lead.
Findlay's offense stayed hot in the third inning, pushing across three more runs to build a comfortable 6-2 advantage.
The game completely flipped in the top of the fifth inning when Northwood's offense exploded. The Timberwolves battered the Findlay pitching staff and plated a massive eight runs in the frame, erasing the Oilers' lead and taking a commanding 10-6 advantage.
Northwood continued to add to their lead late, scoring single runs in the seventh and ninth innings, along with two runs in the eighth, to put the game completely out of reach.
Offensively for Findlay, Casey Maruniak and Nick Palm were the top contributors, with both players hitting doubles in the loss.
Findlay will kick off G-MAC Tournament play on Wednesday, May 6.
