Baseball displays lots of offense in 19-8 victory over Alma (Mich.) to stay undefeated

By Steven Wright

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Ohio Northern baseball team used a 10-run first inning to set the tone early and defeat Alma (Mich.) 19-8 Wednesday afternoon at the Polo Grounds at the Ripken Experience.

The Polar Bears remain undefeated on the young season at 2-0, while the Scots fall to 0-2 on the year.

Junior Mike Hoelzel got the scoring started for the Polar Bears in the first with a bases-loaded triple that gave ONU a 3-0 lead just five batters into the game.

Senior Matt Rader, junior Adam Yunker and senior Brett Katana came around to score on Hoelzel's triple. The trio combined for 11 runs in the game, as Rader and Yunker each scored four runs and Katana scored three runs.

After a ground ball out made two outs in the inning, the Polar Bears would score seven more runs.

Sophomore Eric Yunker walked and stole second base before senior Aaron Lee had a two-RBI single up the middle to make the score 5-0.

Senior Greg Gibbons got in on the action next with a base hit to center field that advanced Lee to third. After Gibbons stole second base, Rader hit a two-run triple to right field that gave ONU a 7-0 lead in his second at bat of the inning.

Adam Yunker had an infield single to first base that brought home Rader, and Katana jacked a two-run homer over the right field wall to cap off the 10-run first inning.

ONU used another two-out rally in the third inning to plate two more runs.

A Rader walk, an Adam Yunker single and a Katana walk set up bases loaded for sophomore Matt Hampshire who singled through the left side to bring home two runs.

The Polar Bears gave up five runs in the bottom of the third but would answer with four in the fifth and two in the seventh to take an 18-5 lead.

In the fifth, Rader scored from the third on a balk by the pitcher and Adam Yunker scored when senior Loren Fleischman reached on an error by the third baseman.

One batter later, Eric Yunker drilled a two-run double down the left field line.

Lee and Gibbons each picked an RBI in the seventh by reaching on fielder's choices. Gibbons would also score the team's final run of the game in the ninth when sophomore Jared King reached on an error by the shortstop.

Freshman Austin Price picked up the victory in his collegiate debut by throwing four shutout innings of relief. Price entered the game in the third inning and struck out four batters, walked one and gave up only three hits to earn the win.

Rader was 3-for-5 in the game with two RBIs and two walks and Adam Yunker was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.

The Polar Bears will be off tomorrow and are scheduled to play two seven-inning games against Wesley (Del.) at 3 pm on Friday.