Jackets Fall Late to Findlay in Home Opener

In the team’s first home game of the season, the Yellow Jackets baseball team fell to the University of Findlay. The visitors broke a 7-7 tie in the sixth and pulled away to win, 12-9.

Cedarville’s David Bancroft opened the game by pitching a hitless first, only to have Findlay’s Mark Delaus match him immediately after to leave the score tied at zero.

Multiple key errors by the Jackets helped the Oilers jump on board first with a run in the second.

Cedarville would quickly follow with an RBI of its own when sophomore outfielder Colton Potter sacrificed, scoring senior outfielder David Lenhardt.

In the following inning, the Jackets gave up two runs while bringing in one of their own when freshman second baseman Ross Melchior scored on a Nathan Bancroft double, making the score 3-2.

Despite being named the Division II Pitcher of the Week last week after throwing a no-hitter, Findlay’s Delaus was pulled early in the fourth inning for relief pitcher Alexander Theiss. However, this was the only change up the Oilers needed to handle the Jackets, as Cedarville only scored four more runs the rest of the game.

Cedarville, on the other hand, struggled trying to find a solid pitcher on the day, working through seven different pitchers. Between pitching struggles and costly errors, the Jackets had a hard time defensively keeping the Oilers off the board.

In the sixth inning, the Jackets tied the game at seven apiece on Findlay’s lone error of the game.

The tie didn’t last long though. Findlay came out firing in the seventh, scoring five runs to re-extend its lead. Cedarville held the Oilers scoreless in the final two innings and Lenhardt scored in both the seventh and the ninth, but it was not enough to overcome the lead.

The Jackets will look to get back to their winning ways as they travel to Westfield, Indiana, this weekend to play in the Midwest Region Crossover. The Jackets fall to 3-6 on the season and 0-1 at home.

Cody Rodriguez is a sophomore industrial design major and sports reporter for Cedars. Along with his favorite activity of basketball, he enjoys most sports or physical activity as well as staying up-to-date and active with most professional sports. Cody enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. John 16:33.