Seniors Lead on Graduation Day Split
Detroit, MI – The University of Findlay baseball team traveled to Detroit to begin their final road series of the season on Graduation Day at Findlay, Saturday, April 30.. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) double-header split vs. Wayne State University gives Findlay a 14-23 record overall with a 7-15 mark in conference play.
Game 1 (L 3-1) Box Score
Wayne State got on the board first with a single run in the bottom of the opening frame off of Oilers' starting pitcher Colin Gossard. They again scored in the fourth inning when they were able to plate two more runs, making the score 3-0.
The Oilers', who fell victim to 12 strikeouts in the game, managed their lone run in the sixth inning when an error allowed sophomore Cameron Johnson, who singled to lead off the inning, cross the dish to make the score 3-1, the eventual final.
Findlay finished the game with one run on two hits, made one error, and left three runners on base. For the entirety of the game, the Orange and Black had four hitters reach base.
Gossard, whose record is now 0-5 this season, took the loss on the hill after throwing six innings and allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits. He struck out four and walked three.
Sophomore Troy Merriman and Johnson were the two players who recorded hits for Findlay.
Game 2 (W 9-8) Box Score
The second contest was a complete opposite as the two teams combined for 26 hits and 17 runs as the Oilers earned a one run victory to close out the day.
Wayne State, again, got on the board first with a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, but unlike in the first game, Findlay would have an answer.
In the top of the third, Pete Burkett singled to begin the inning and was followed by an infield single from Cameron Johnson. The Oilers got a big hit from senior Jordan Garcia, a double to left center field, scoring Burkett. Freshman Derrick Herd then followed with another double. It scored Johnson and Garcia to give Findlay the 3-2 lead.
Wayne State battled back on top with another two run inning in the bottom of the fourth giving the Green and Gold a 4-3 lead.
Findlay came back yet again with single runs in the sixth and seventh and then exploded for four runs in the eighth.
Burkett, again, led off the inning with a hit and advanced on an error. With runners on second and third, Garcia picked up a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-4. Herd then roped a single up the middle to score Johnson. Back-to-back singles from freshman Brian Cappiello and sophomore Christion Smith would load the bases. Junior Peter Yorgen then delivered with a sac fly to right field and sophomore Josh Schwerer hit a single to plate another run. After the inning was over, Findlay held a 9-4 lead.
Wayne State would not go quietly as they scored four runs in their half of the eighth to make the score 9-8, but a scoreless ninth inning would finalize the Oilers 14th win of the season.
In the game, five Oilers' hitters would finish with two or more hits, led by Pete Burkett who went 4-for-5 in the game. He also scored two runs.
Schwerer had a good day at the plate as well as he stroked three hits, scored a run, and had one RBI.
Senior Mason Mayberry got his third win on the mound as he threw seven innings and allowed four runs, all earned, on eight hits. He struck out four and walked two.
Junior AJ Cecil pitched a perfect ninth inning to collect his third save of the season.
Findlay and Wayne State will conclude the series tomorrow with a double-header beginning at 1:00 p.m.