NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- Despite a lengthy lightning delay, Ohio Dominican baseball rallied for six runs in the final three innings to secure an 8-4 road win at Walsh on Thursday afternoon.

The Panthers trailed 6-2 entering the top of the seventh frame. ODU scored once before an hour long delay in top of the seventh, then added three additional runs in the inning and two in the eighth to earn their second straight conference road win. The second game scheduled Thursday was postponed. 

Jake Daniel (Troy, Ohio) opened the scoring with a two-out double in the top of the first, scoring Michael Knapp (Elyria, Ohio). David Silva (Tontogany, Ohio) then drove in a run in the top of the third inning to put ODU on top 2-0. 

Scott Rouse (Hinckley, Ohio) retired seven of the first eight batters he faced, including three strikeouts. Rouse did not allow a run until the bottom of the sixth, when Walsh capitalized with four runs on four hits. Overall, the sophomore allowed the four runs over 5.2 innings of work, fanning four batters.

In relief, Myles Martinez (Columbus, Ohio) conceded only one hit over 2.2 innings, earning his second win of the spring. Martinez struck out six batters during his appearance. Derek Bolander (Oregon, Ohio) tossed a clean ninth inning to secure the win. 

Trailing 4-2, ODU scored four runs in the seventh, all with two outs. Daniel drove in his second run with a single, then Devan Nail (Elyria, Ohio) followed with a bases-loaded double to put the Panthers in front 6-4. 

Ohio Dominican took advantage of an error and a passed ball with Matthew Bame (Westerville, Ohio) scoring in the eighth. Silva then drove in Brennen Hunt (Ashland, Ohio) with a base hit to right field. The two runs gave ODU its final 8-4 lead. 

UP NEXT

The Panthers and Cavaliers will now play a pair of seven-inning games on Sunday, April 10. The two sides will determine then if they can make-up the fourth game of the series at a later date.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu