WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Ohio Dominican baseball team erased an early two-run deficit and rallied for a 5-3 victory during the series finale at California (PA) on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers pick up their first win of 2022 with Sunday's result. Cal U falls to 2-1 after taking the series first two games earlier in the week at Wild Things Park. 

Ohio Dominican combined for seven hits during Opening Day's doubleheader, but outhit the Vulcans on Sunday, 12-6. Brennen Hunt (Ashland, Ohio) logged four hits in five at-bats in the leadoff spot, while Michael Knapp (Elyria, Ohio) produced a 3-for-4 effort with two runs scored. Lane Marshall (Wooster, Ohio) drove in three runs, highlighted by a two-run triple in the sixth inning. 

The Panthers had runners reach third base in three of the first four innings, but were unable to scratch across any runs and trailed Cal U, 2-0. Tyler Sullivan (Cincinnati, Ohio) entered in relief on the mound in the third frame, allowing just one run on one hit over 3.1 innings of work. Sullivan struck out five batters and recorded the win for ODU. 

The offense picked up for ODU in the fifth inning, as Alex Brill (Amherst, Ohio) got the Panthers on the board for the first time in 2022 with a one-out single up the middle. The Black & Gold then chased their first run in the fifth with three more in the sixth. Ohio Dominican was powered by three extra-base hits in the sixth, including a double from Knapp, the two RBI triple by Marshall and a run-scoring double from Derek Kutrubs (Brunswick, Ohio). 

The Panthers three relief pitchers combined to allow just one run. Derek Bolander (Oregon, Ohio) tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in his 2022 debut, while Game One starter, Scott Rouse (Hinckley, Ohio) recorded the final out of the contest for the save. 

Leading by one run, 4-3, and in search of an insurance run, ODU left the bases loaded in the seventh, but found the extra score in the top of the ninth. Knapp and Zac Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio) both singled to leadoff the final frame, with Knapp scoring on a fielder's choice by Marshall, extending the advantage to 5-3.  

Despite two quick outs in the bottom half of the inning, Cal U was able to load the bases in the ninth. Rouse though, after issuing a walk to load the bases, struck out the final Vulcan batter to secure the Panther win. 

Ohio Dominican is now scheduled to travel to Chillicothe, Ohio for a four-game series with in-state rival, Notre Dame College. The Panthers and Falcons will play consecutive days of doubleheaders beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26. 

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu