Baseball bounces back after Game 1 loss to split in OAC doubleheader versus Muskingum

By: Monique Bowman

ADA — A Mark Hayes (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) homerun jump started the Ohio Northern baseball offense to aid in the team's split against visiting OAC opponent Muskingum on Saturday at Wander Field.

ONU fell in the first game 4-0 but bounced back for the nightcap win, 9-7.

The Polar Bears move to 17-15 overall and 4-10 in the Ohio Athletic Conference while the Muskies fall to 12-20 and 5-9 in league action.

In the Game 2 win, the Muskies took a 2-0 lead in the first but three-straight Polar Bear hits in the bottom of the inning set ONU up to tie the game.

Senior Mike Hoelzel (Canfield) and sophomore Cory Martin (Akron/Ellet) each singled, then junior Matt Hampshire (Lima/Elida) doubled to score Hoelzel. Junior Eric Yunker (Holland/Toledo Christian) hit a chopper and was thrown out at first, but not before Martin crossed home plate.

After another run in the fourth, Hayes three-run bomb came in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead (the first ONU lead of the day).

Ohio Northern also had a three-run seventh inning, including a play in which three players stole a base, including Martin stealing home.  Right after that play, freshman Josh Murphy (Kettering/Fairmont) singled to left field to bring in two runs as well.

The Muskies managed to put together some late-game offense with two runs in the top of the ninth, but closer Shane Parks (Boardman) would keep composure and guide the Polar Bears to the win.

Justin Good (Miamisburg) took over early for an injured Craig Leopold and registered the win in Game 2; he saw 5.2 innings of action, allowing eight hits and striking out six. Parks picks up his seventh save of the season, allowing five hits in 2.2 innings pitched with two strikeouts.

In Game 1, the Muskies' Tyler Hardcastle opened the sixth inning with a leadoff double and eventually scored to give Muskingum the 1-0 lead.

The Muskies capitalized on three ONU errors in the seventh inning to get three unearned runs and increase their lead to 4-0. Muskingum's Nathan VanMeter would retire three batters in the bottom of the seventh for the complete game win. He allowed four hits in seven innings with 12 strikeouts.

Sophomore pitcher Austin Price (Tiffin/Columbian) had a stellar outing despite having to take the loss as he retired 13 straight batters through the first five innings.

Price allowed just five hits in seven innings with two strikeouts; he moves to 3-4 on the season.

Hayes and Hampshire both went 3-for-7 at the plate in the doubleheader. In addition to his homerun and three RBIs, Hayes also scored once, while Hampshire had one run, one double and one RBI.

"In terms of the first game, it was a tough way to lose it but the team did a nice job of bouncing back and responded well to some adversity," said head coach Justin Bergman. "We have a big week ahead of us and we're playing for a winning record through the rest of this season."

The Polar Bears head into the final stretch of the regular season this week and will host Oberlin in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.