Mason, Ohio – The University of Findlay baseball team fell to Kentucky Wesleyan College 12-8 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship game on Saturday, May 9 at Prasco Park. The appearance marked the first time Findlay, which is now 35-19 on the year, has played in a conference title game since 2008, when they competed in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). For Kentucky Wesleyan, the victory secured their first G-MAC title since 2017.
The Oilers' offense provided plenty of fireworks early in the contest. Kentucky Wesleyan took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, Findlay immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame. Nick Palm started the rally by drawing a walk, setting the stage for Gavyn Smith, who launched a two-run home run to left field to tie the game. Mason Myers followed immediately with a solo home run to left field of his own, and the back-to-back blasts pulled the Oilers ahead 3-2.
Findlay extended their advantage in the second inning. After Nick Palm and Casey Maruniak both drew walks, Luke Senften delivered an RBI single to right center. An error by the center fielder on the play allowed both Palm and Maruniak to score, pushing the lead to 5-2.
In the middle innings, the action tightened up. Kentucky Wesleyan closed the gap to 5-4 in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run home run to center field by Elijah Stockton. The Oilers managed to add a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Isaac Ramos led off with a double to center field, moved to third on a flyout, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from Aiden Booth to make it 6-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Findlay looked to put the game out of reach. With Luke Senften and Gavyn Smith both hitting singles to get on base, Mason Myers delivered a massive two-run double to right-center field, expanding the Oilers' lead to 8-4.
However, Kentucky Wesleyan mounted a stunning late rally. The Panthers had trailed by at least three runs in every one of their tournament games this week and won them all, and that exact scenario played out again on Saturday. Kentucky Wesleyan's offense exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth inning. The surge was highlighted by two-RBI hits from both Rhett Dysholm and Ellis Hurt, giving the Panthers a 9-8 lead.
Findlay had a chance to answer in the bottom of the 8th, trailing by one. Casey Maruniak was hit by a pitch with one out and stole second. A walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out for one of the hottest hitters in the tournament this week, Mason Myers. Myers squared up a ball to third but it was stabbed out of the air by the Panthers' third baseman who stepped on the bag to double off Maruniak, who had no chance of getting back safely. That play ended the rally and the Oilers' last good scoring opportunity.
KWC then added three final insurance runs in the top of the ninth, capped by a two-run home run from Baron Ratliff, to seal the 12-8 championship victory.
Findlay now awaits the NCAA selection show which is on Sunday, May 10 at 10 pm.
