COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican baseball team played host to the visiting Griffins of Seton Hill University (PA.) for a Thursday afternoon non-conference doubleheader at Frank Damian Field in Panther Valley. Two big innings allowed the Griffins to take game one 11-2, but the Panthers came from behind in game two to post the 8-6 victory and salvage the split in the regular season home finale.
ODU (20-26) grabbed an early 2-1 lead after three innings of play to begin game one. SHU (31-19) erupted for four runs in the top of the fifth to take to steal the lead from the Panthers. The Griffins tacked on a run in the sixth and five more in the seventh to deny any chance of a Panther comeback, taking the 11-2 final.
Senior Andy Onak (Orland Park, IL) suffered the setback on the hill after allowing five earned runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work.
Evan Shaw (So./Delaware, OH) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in the loss, while Felix Brown (Jr./Philipsburg, St. Marten) drove in the only two runs for the Panthers.
In the nightcap, ODU's offense came alive with eight runs on 16 hits. After falling behind early, the Panthers squared the game at 2-2 with a two-run second inning. SHU regained the lead with a three-run fifth inning, but ODU rallied for two runs in the home half of the inning and four more in the sixth for an 8-5 lead. The Griffins plated a run in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Panthers held on for the 8-6 win.
Kyle Gore (Jr./Solon, OH) recorded the win for ODU, improving his record to 2-2 after coming on in relief, allowing one run on three hits.
John Bowron (So./Dayton, OH) and John Lydic (Jr./Gahanna, OH) each collected three hits and an RBI in the win. Brown, Eian Banks (Sr./Delaware, OH) and J.T. Feldkamp (Jr./Lorain, OH) chipped in with two hits apiece. Feldkamp also had two RBI and a run scored.
The Panthers will return to action on Sunday, May 9th as they travel to Canton, Ohio to take on the winner of the Sunrise Conference in the Unaffiliated Tournament. Time and locations have yet to be determined.
