Posted: Apr 03, 2021
NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Wilmington College baseball team fell to Muskingum University in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) doubleheader on Saturday, 12-6 in game one and 16-10 in game two.
Wilmington will face Otterbein University in an OAC series next weekend.
In game one, neither team got a runner in scoring position in the first two innings. Wilmington opened the scoring in the top of the third as Brandon Smith doubled down the left field line to open the inning, and later scored on a wild pitch. The Quakers' pitching staff couldn't keep the Muskies off the scoreboard any longer, however, as the hosts tagged Wilmington starter Aaron Boster for three runs on four hits in the third.
The next three Quaker pitchers faired similarly as Ryan Townsend, Cameron Harbert and Lincoln Howard all surrendered multiple runs and walked at least three batters. After taking a 4-1 lead after three complete, Muskingum scored three in the fourth and two in the fifth to build a 9-1 advantage.
Wilmington would plate an unearned run in the seventh, one in the eighth on an RBI-double from Mac Davis and three in the ninth. Muskingum's offense also produced, however, scoring two in the seventh and one in the eighth to keep the lead comfortable.
Brett Carson earned the win, allowing one earned run on six hits with six walks. Boster took the loss, allowing four earned runs on four hits with three walks.
The Quakers outhit the Muskies 13-10 with Luke Kleindl, Evan Kelsey and Joe Legin all recording multi-hit games. Devin Ryan led the way for Muskingum a 3-for-5 performance with six RBIs and two runs scored. Grant Hovest also had a three-hit game for the hosts.
In game two, Wilmington scored a single run in the top of the first and took a 3-0 advantage in the second when Jared Lammert tripled home Joe Legin and Davis singled up the middle scoring Lammert. Muskingum got a run back in the third and both squads scored a run in the fifth, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead. After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, the game completely changed direction in the seventh.
The Quakers went three-up, three-down in the top of the seventh, and Muskingum took advantage. The Muskies took advantage of a Wilmington error on a sacrifice bunt put down to plate seven unearned runs on seven hits and turn a 4-2 deficit into a 9-4 advantage. The visitors didn't go away, however, as Reliford, Kelsey, Lammert and Davis all knocked in runs as part of a six-run inning to give Wilmington a 10-9 lead.
The bullpen couldn't hold, however, as GlenAllen Anderson, the winner of game two of the series, gave up four runs on two hits in the bottom of the inning as part of a second consecutive seven-run inning for Muskingum to seal the sweep.
Drew Eaches earned the win for the Muskies despite allowing three earned runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Quaker starter Thomas Hueber earned a no-decision despite his quality start of two earned runs allowed in six innings to go along with two strikeouts.
Baumann and Reliford led the Wilmington offense at the top of the order as the two combined for five hits, two RBIs and four runs scored. A quartet of Muskies – Matt Stewart, Ryan, Ryan Schwartz and Drew Dittoe – each had three hits in the win.
Drew Eaches earned the win for the Muskies despite allowing three earned runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Quaker starter Thomas Hueber earned a no-decision despite his quality start of two earned runs allowed in six innings to go along with two strikeouts.
Baumann and Reliford led the Wilmington offense at the top of the order as the two combined for five hits, two RBIs and four runs scored. A quartet of Muskies – Matt Stewart, Ryan, Ryan Schwartz and Drew Dittoe – each had three hits in the win.
Wilmington will face Otterbein University in an OAC series next weekend.
