Findlay Drops a Pair of Nail-biters to GVSU
Allendale, MI – The University of Findlay baseball team dropped a pair of close games on Saturday, April 18. The opponent, Grand Valley State University, sent the Oilers record to 11-29 overall and 6-19 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Lakers wins gave them sole possession of first place in the GLIAC North Division.
Late runs spelled the end for the Oilers in the first contest as a seventh inning lead evaporated and an eighth inning run finished a one-run GVSU victory in the lid lifter.
After a split yesterday, Findlay's bats were hot as the game began.
The first inning began with a single from Josh Schwerer, who then advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt by the Lakers pitcher. Cameron Johnson then reached on an error, moving Schwerer to third, who then scored on a single from Chase Goulette. Austin Adams had the big hit in the inning as he doubled down the right field line, scoring Johnson and Goulette and putting the Oilers up 3-0.
After GVSU scored a single run in the bottom of the first, Findlay came back with a run of their own in the top of the second. Johnson singled with two outs, scoring Schwerer, who reached on an error.
The next inning, Findlay scored a pair of runs as that frame began when Yorgen reached on an error, the fourth of the game for the Lakers. He scored on Adams' second double of the game, a blast to right center field. He would eventually score on GVSU's fifth error of the game, a ball off the bat of Miguel Valdez. Those runs put Findlay ahead 6-1.
A three-run home run from Lakers' Jason Ribecky got the home team back in the game after three innings, but Findlay still led 6-4.
Alex Williams came in relief of the starter Mason Mayberry and attempted to pick up the two-inning save. He got out of a jam in the sixth but was unable to do the same in the seventh as the Lakers sent the game to extra innings with a pair of runs in the inning.
GVSU then won in walk-off fashion as they were able to plate a run, giving them the 7-6 victory.
Adams led the offense as he finished the game with three hits, two of which were doubles, three RBI and a run scored. Yorgen also had a good game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Williams (1-2) took the loss on the hill, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
Mayberry pitched well for the Oilers as he went five innings and gave up four runs on eight hits. He struck out five and walked three.
As a team, Findlay scored six runs on eight hits. They made three errors and left seven runners on base.
A seventh inning rally was not enough as the Oilers never led in the second game of the day as the Lakers took the nightcap by a 4-2 final.
GVSU took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning and then added another pair of runs in the fifth inning, putting the home team ahead 4-1.
Besides that second inning run, the Oilers offense was silent until the fifth inning when Johnson, Goulette, and Yorgen reached to load the bases. A 1-2-3 double play ended the inning and the Lakers escaped the threat.
Findlay threatened again in the seventh inning when Yorgen got a one out single and scored when Adams clubbed his third double of the day. That run made the score 4-2. Jordan Garcia pinch hit and singled and was followed by a walk to Troy Merriman, who was playing just 13 miles from his hometown of Grandville, MI. That walk loaded the bases with one out but a strike out and sharp groundout ended the game with the Lakers on top, 4-2.
Goulette and Yorgen, who had one RBI, each had a pair of hits in the game to lead Findlay. Adams had a double and RBI while Valdez picked up a hit and RBI.
Cory Carl (1-1) took the tough luck loss on the mound as he pitched a solid 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. He walked four and did not record a strikeout.
The Oilers will return home next weekend, Saturday, April 25 as they will host Wayne State University for a GLIAC series. The first game is set to begin at 1:00pm.