Oilers lose three against Northwood

UF baseball now 8-9

By Alyssa Grevenkamp
@grevenkampa

The University of Findlay baseball team went on a four game road trip to Northwood Michigan last Friday and Saturday. The Oilers dropped the first two games of the series on Friday afternoon, but went on to split the games on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon the UF baseball team fought a hard battle with Northwood as they needed extra innings to determine a winner.

Northwood was able to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but the bottom half of the third was when the Oilers got some clutch hits.

Sophomore Troy Merriman roped a one-out single to left center field and was followed by a walk to junior Logan Harrah. After a pop out, freshman Derrick Herd picked up an infield single and loaded the bases. That brought Josh Schwerer to the plate and the Oilers’ sophomore delivered with a double to left-center field, scoring three runs. Schwerer scored on an RBI single from junior Pete Yorgen, giving Findlay a 4-1 lead.

Even though the Oilers had a commanding lead for most of the game, the Timberwolves fought back and found a way to tie things up. Northwood scored a couple of runs in the fifth inning and one in the seventh to tie the game at four to send the game to extra innings.

After surrendering a run in the top of the ninth, Findlay was in need of some late-inning magic.

Sophomore Christion Smith led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left and was pulled for pinch runner, freshman Jordan Williams. Williams advanced on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Cameron Johnson and was followed by a walk to Merriman. Harrah delivered with his first double of the season. With that double, it scored Williams and, thanks to a bobble from the right fielder, Merriman was able to score from first, giving the Oilers the walk off victory.

Junior AJ Cecil picked up the win in relief as he pitched two and a third innings. He allowed one run, none earned, on one hit. He struck out three.

Freshman Mark Delas started on the mound for UF and pitched four and two-thirds. He allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits. He struck out one and walked seven.

After the weekend, Findlay improves to 8-9 on the year. The Oilers will be back in action on Saturday April 2 as they travel to Walsh for a four game stand. The first game starts at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.