COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican baseball team looked as they would bounce back from a rough start to the season as they exploded for a 15-5 victory over Brescia University in their first game of their annual spring trip to Ormond Beach, Florida. The Panthers hot stick quickly cooled off on day two as they were swept by St. Xavier University by the scores of 5-3 and 2-1.
ODU jumped out to an early lead in the opener versus BU as they plated three runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Brescia battled back and tied the game on two separate occasions, but thanks to 10 runs rally in the final two innings ODU was able to upend the Bearcats.
Senior lefty Andy Onak (Orland Park, IL) got the start for the Black and Gold and went six strong innings. Onak allowed five runs on five hits and struck out five to earn the no-decision. Nick Venditti (Fr./Brecksville, OH) came on in the seventh to earn the win as he held the Bearcats in check. Zane Miller (Jr./London, OH) closed the door on Brescia tossing a scoreless eighth.
Leading the way at the plate was Eian Banks (Sr./Delaware, OH; pictured) who went 2-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored. ODU's JT Feldkamp (Jr./Lorian, OH) and Greg Riesenberg (Sr./Loveland, OH) also had a pair of hits in the win.
The Panthers couldn't keep the hits coming on Saturday as they dropped a pair of games to the St. Xavier University. ODU's offense couldn't keep it going as they were held to just four runs on 14 hits in the twinbill. Feldkamp was the Panthers lone bright spot with four hits on the afternoon, two in each game. Caleb Wilburn (Fr./Delaware, OH) hit his first homer, a three run blast in the fifth inning of game one.
ODU will return to action on Sunday, March 7th as they face the University of St. Francis (IL) at 6 p.m. in Ormond Beach, Florida.
