Cedarville comes up short in doubleheader despite tight first game  

By Zeke Dubiel 

After dominating the first eight innings, the Cedarville University baseball team gave up four runs in the 9th inning to the University of Findlay, sending the game into extra innings. Cedarville lost 8-6 in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday, then lost 11-2 in the second. 

Cedarville was up on the Oilers 5-1 at the end of the 8th inning, showing a truly masterful display of both hitting and fielding. The Oilers struck back in the 9th by loading the bases and scoring runs on two consecutive walks followed by a double RBI, tying the game. 

“It shouldn’t have gone to extra innings,” said head coach Matt Richter. “We didn’t take care of business at the end of that game, and they’re too good of a team to let hang around.” 

After the Jackets failed to respond in the bottom of the 9th, the Oilers scored three more runs in the top of the 10th, making the score 8-5 before the offense was shut down. 

With their backs against the wall, Cedarville managed to score one more run in the bottom of the 10th before their last stand was cut short. 

Despite the loss, Cedarville’s left-hander Max Doepker pitched an excellent game with four strikeouts and only one earned run in seven innings. On offense, Eli Henderson had a strong day at the plate with three hits, including two doubles and two RBIs.   

“Today was one of those examples that you have to play well for all 9 innings, you can’t just play well for eight,” Richter said. 

The Oilers carried the momentum from their first win into the second game, displaying a true show of dominance on both sides of the ball. They came out swinging, scoring two runs on two hits in the 1st inning, all while holding Cedarville to zero runs. They also added another run to their lead in the top of the 3rd. 

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, with runners on first and third base, Doepker singled to right field, scoring Chris Montes de Oca and sending Kaden Wilde to second, putting Cedarville on the board. After five innings, the score remained at 3-1.  

In the top of the 6th inning, Findlay’s Casey Maruniak hit a grand slam, extending their lead to 7-1. 

The Jackets just couldn’t seem to get their hitting going and struggled to bring runners home. The Oilers’ offensive onslaught also proved to be too much for their defense. 

Cedarville added one more run in the bottom of the 7th on a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Jackson Leaman, but still fell well short to the Oilers, losing 11-2.  

“Our guys don’t quit, I haven’t seen any quit in them,” Richter said. “I think they can take the lessons from the weekend and show up on Monday to play the game almost like today didn’t happen.” 

On Monday, March 30, Cedarville will face Findlay in another doubleheader at home, hoping to bounce back from Saturday’s losses.  

Zeke Dubiel is a senior marketing major and sports writer for Cedars. He enjoys martial arts, playing guitar and cheering on Detroit sports teams.