Baseball drops OAC opener at Wilmington

The Muskingum baseball team dropped game one of its OAC opener at Wilmington on Saturday afternoon, 3-2. In game two, the Muskies fell to the Quakers, 9-7.

• Records: Muskingum (4-12 overall, 0-2 OAC), Wilmington (5-11, 2-0 OAC)
• Location: Wilmington, Ohio

The Muskies jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning when senior Nate Mejia smacked a sacrifice fly out to center field, bringing home senior Marc Ibarra. Muskingum extended its lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth when freshman Brett Carson singled up the middle, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Carson rounded third and slid into home after Ibarra blasted an RBI single to center field. 

Wilmington gained momentum in the bottom of the fifth inning when Gage Bley hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Mason Walker to score from third base. Then, Luke Kleindl knocked an RBI single to right field, tying the game 2-2. In the bottom of the eighth, Shane Hale singled to right field, driving in Kleindl and granting the Quakers a 3-2 edge.

The Muskies' comeback bid was halted in the top of the ninth when Wilmington's defense escaped the inning without allowing a Muskie run. 

Junior Josh Bigrigg took the loss for Muskingum on the mound. Bigrigg pitched one inning and allowed one run on two hits while striking out one batter. Pitcher Lance Fleischman earned the win for Wilmington. Fleischan pitched a complete game and allowed two runs on four hits while notching 10 strikeouts. 

Senior Marc Ibarra led the Muskies with one run on one hit and one RBI. Mason Walker guided the Quakers with one run on two hits and two doubles. 

In the top of the first inning, sophomore Matt Stewart led off for the Muskies and hit a triple to right field. Stewart went on to steal home and put Muskingum up 1-0. 

Wilmington was quick to answer in the bottom of the first when Nick Silvis blasted an RBI single. Then, Silvis came home after Jake Hyatt hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Wilmington scored its last run of the inning when Hale managed an RBI single.

In the Quakers' next at-bat, Bley doubled to left center, allowing Joe Legin to score from second base. Bley advanced to third and then came home on a wild pitch. Wilmington pushed its lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the third when Legin hit an RBI single to right field. 

Stewart crushed an RBI single down the left field line to make it 6-2 in the top of the fourth inning. Wilmington was able to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth and gain an 8-2 advantage.

Muskingum rallied in the top of the fifth inning when Mejia knocked an RBI single to left field. Then, freshman Sam Pinckert blasted a single to right field, driving home Ibarra from third base. Mejia and Pinckert scored when senior Ben Van Wey belted a single to left field, making the score 8-6. 

In the top of the sixth inning, the Muskies made it a one-run contest after Carson hit an RBI single to right field. However, the Quakers responded in the bottom of the sixth when Hale landed an RBI single in left field. 

Muskingum had a chance to take the lead in the top of the eighth when Carson reached first after being hit by a pitch. Then, Ibarra singled to left field and Carson advanced to second base. With one out, junior Ashton Budzinski struck out swinging, but Ibarra and Carson were able to advance on a wild pitch. Mejia stepped up to the plate with two outs and runners at second and third, but the Quaker defense held strong and caught a fly ball hit to right field. Wilmington went on to win game two and sweep Muskingum in its OAC opener.

Junior Holden Martin took the loss for Muskingum. Martin pitched 1.2 innings and allowed five runs on six hits. Jarett Trautman secured the win for the Quakers. He allowed five runs on one seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. Jared Ferenchak earned his first save at the mound for Wilmington. Ferenchak pitched 4.1 innings and allowed one run on five hits and tallied four strikeouts. 

Stewart led the Muskies at the plate with one run on two hits, one RBI and a triple. Bley guided the Quakers with three runs on four hits, one RBI and two doubles. 

The Muskies next host Kenyon on Tuesday, March 26. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.