Wilson Comes up Clutch as Baseball Wins Series Finale Versus Ashland
COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the third time in nine days, the Ohio Dominican baseball team was fueled by a late-inning home run, as Zac Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio) hit a two-out, two-run bomb in the series finale with Ashland on Sunday afternoon to earn the Panthers both a doubleheader adn series split.
Wilson’s seventh inning homer powered the Panthers to an 8-6 win in the nine-inning nightcap. Ashland took the seven-inning opener on Sunday by a final score of 7-3.
The weekend, four-game split four ODU moves the team to 15-25 overall and 8-16 in Great Midwest play. In their first season in the G-MAC, the Eagles are now 25-14 overall and 16-8 in conference action.
GAME ONE
The Panthers tallied just four hits in the opener, all coming in the first three innings of play. ODU and Ashland each scored on a defensive error in the first inning, but the Eagles then outscored the Panthers 4-2 in the second frame to take a 5-3 lead.
Michael McFadden (Brunswick, Ohio) led off the bottom of the second with an infield single. Brennen Hunt (Ashland, Ohio) followed with his own base hit. McFadden and Hunt each scored in the frame for ODU.
A one-out grand slam in the second inning for the Eagles would prove to be the difference in the game.
Myles Martinez (Columbus, Ohio) and Devan Nail (Elyria, Ohio) combined to throw four innings of scoreless baseball in relief. Martinez went two frames, allowing just one hit. Nail’s collegiate pitching debut saw him toss two innings, conceding no hits with two strikeouts.
GAME TWO
Michael Knapp (Elyria, Ohio) got the offense going early for ODU, as his double in the first inning plated two Panther runners. ODU took advantage of defensive miscues by Ashland in the next two innings and led 4-1 after three complete.
After the Eagles tied the game at 4-all in the top of the fourth, a sac fly from Jordan Daniels (Blacklick, Ohio) highlighted a two-run frame for the Black & Gold, placing them back on top, 6-4. ODU and AU combined for just one hit over the fifth and sixth innings, as the Panthers took their two-run advantage into the final third of the contest.
The Eagles received a two-run homer in the top half of the seventh to tie the game once more. The rally was cut to just two runs for Ashland though, as Scott Rouse (Hinckley, Ohio) entered in relief and left the bases loaded with a punchout.
After a flyout to lead off the bottom of the inning, Alex Brill (Amherst, Ohio) was hit by a pitch, followed by Wilson’s heroics. Rouse then retired the Eagles in order in the eighth to preserve the lead.
Derek Bolander (Oregon, Ohio) saw just three batters in the top of the ninth as well, including a strikeout to the first batter he faced. Hunt then made a nice jumping catch on a line drive, followed by the final line out recorded by Thomas Staab (Bellville, Ohio).
Rouse earned his third win of the season, allowing one hit over two innings. Bolander’s save was his fourth of the spring. Brendan Hofacre (Chardon, Ohio) started the game, striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision.
At the plate, ODU outhit Ashland 10-8. Four Panthers recorded multiple hits, including Knapp, who also stole three bases.
UP NEXT
The Panthers are scheduled to close out a six-game homestand with a non-conference doubleheader against Indianapolis at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 26.
Contact: Tyler Jester
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