Oilers Drop Two Close Games to Grand Valley on Season Opener
Chillicothe, OH- The University of Findlay Baseball team started its season down in Chillicothe on Sunday Feb 20th when they played the first two of a 4 game series against Grand Valley State University. The Oilers finished the day 0-2 after two very close games to start the season.
Game 1- (L 6-5)
The Oilers took a quick lead in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore Cam Farrar blasted a solo homerun over center field to give Findlay a 1-0 lead.
Grand Valley work the game back to a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning scoring off a double and an error. Then took a one run lead off a single up that middle that plated another run bringing the score to 2-1
Findlay came back to take the lead 3-2 with two runs of their own when junior Nolan O'Connell sent a ball over the left field fence for a homerun scoring Senior Ryan O'Malley (walk) in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the sixth Grand Valley scored another run off errors in the field by the Oilers which brought the game back to a 3-3 tie.
A two-run homerun in the top of the 7th put Grand Valley up 5-3. They also scored again in the 8th inning after a leadoff walk ended up scoring later in the inning.
The Oilers did not go quietly as they started the 9th inning off with junior Kyron Rogers scoring O'Connell when he reached on an error. Rogers would score later in the inning off an RBI Sac Fly by freshmen Jabin Bates. However, that was all they could muster as they ended up losing 6-5.
Junior Nate Brooks and Senior Christian Orr also recorded hits for the Oilers who finished with 6 on the game.
On the Mound for the Oilers Senior Anthony Kyle pitched 6 and a third innings allowing 3 earned runs and racking up 7 strikeouts in the loss. Freshmen Jacob Flaherty threw one and two thirds' innings allowing one earned run and striking out two batters. Senior Gavin Bailey finished the game on the hill for the Oilers recording one inning of work allowing no runs and striking out one batter.
Game 2- (L 6-5)
Grand Valley came out swinging in the second game with a leadoff homerun to make the game 1-0 in the top of the first. The Oilers would not be outdone as they put together three runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. A big bases loaded two out double from Nate Brooks plated three runs giving Findlay the lead after one inning of play.
Grand Valley scored in the top of the third after a triple and a wild pitch allowed a runner to score.
In the 4th inning Grand Valley scored when a leadoff walk came around to score on a wild pitch later in the inning.
Findlay answered back with two RBI singles in the bottom half of the 5th inning by O'Connell and Brooks that scored junior Aiden Lao and O'Malley making the score 5-3 in favor of the Oilers
A rough 6th inning for the Oilers involving some walks and errors allowed Grand Valley to score 3 runs and take the lead 6-5.
The game would stay there as the Oilers fought back but could not squeeze another run across.
Aiden Lao also contributed 2 hits for the Oilers who ended with 6 on the game.
On the mound for the Oilers Senior Bailey McCord threw 5 complete innings allowing three earned runs on two hits and recording five strike outs. Senior Ryan Mohr threw 4 innings in relief and allowed 3 runs, none earned, on 2 hits and one walk while striking out 8 batters.
Findlay will look to bounce back as they play games 3 and 4 of the series tomorrow Monday Feb 21st in Chillicothe at 12PM and 3:30PM.