Huntingburg, IN – A big River States Conference series for the Mighty Oaks, versus Midway University was scheduled this Easter weekend. Two high scoring games were followed by a nailbiter in game three at historic League Stadium.
Game 1
An early deficit for the Mighty Oaks never got erased on Friday's game versus the Eagles of Midway University. In the second inning, the visitors took a 0-1 lead. Their lead grew to 0-3 in the third inning.
In the top of the fifth, the game went downhill rather quickly for the Mighty Oaks, on six hits and two errors, a total of eight runs were scored.
The Eagles would score one more in the seventh, this was also the inning where the home team scored their first run. Back-to-back singles from
Jared Kirkman and
Jackson Pullen were followed by a sacrifice fly from
Noah Baugher, accounting for the only Oakland City run of the day.
After seven innings, the game was called due to mercy rule. The final score was 1-12 in the first game of the series versus Midway University.
The Mighty Oaks tallied seven hits, all coming from different players in the lineup. On the mound,
Gehrig Tenhumberg (L, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO),
Tommy Johnson (1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO),
Milan van der Breggen (1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO) and
Garrett Whiteker (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) split the duties.
Game 2
After a tough loss on Friday, the Mighty Oaks needed to come back strong on Saturday, especially if they want to have a shot to compete in the River States Conference Tournament. A big first inning helped the Mighty Oaks towards a victory.
In the top of the first, Oakland City allowed the Eagles to score one, but they came out strong in the bottom half of the inning. With the bases loaded,
Garrett Causey hit a ball hard down the left field line for a 2-RBI double. A bases loaded walk for
Conner Oxley plated another run, another run scored on a balk, before
Jared Kirkman brought home two more with a single up the middle.
In the next inning,
Noah Baugher led off with a single, he stole second base and advanced to third on the throw.
Xander Willis followed with a single, which allowed Baugher to score. With the bases loaded,
Sam Pinckert hit a single to left field, allowing Willis to score.
Bailey Hale, who reached base with a walk, was thrown out at home on the play. The Mighty Oaks were op 8-1 after two innings.
Midway scored one more in the fourth, but Oakland City answered back with a run of their own.
Xander Willis was brought home on a single from
Sam Pinckert.
Another Mighty Oaks run scored in the fifth,
Noah Baugher hit a triple to the right centerfield gap and not much later he scored on a balk.
In the sixth inning, the Midway Eagles scored one more run, but it wasn't enough to get back in the game. The Mighty Oaks would win 10-3, tying the series at one.
The Oakland City offense was led by
Noah Baugher who had three hits. On the mound,
Christian Burgrabe and
Tyler Butler did a good job limiting the Eagles from getting on base. Burgrabe, who was the winning pitcher, threw six innings, allowing six hits, three runs (two earned), while walking none and striking out seven. Butler threw three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two, he earned the save.
Game 3
After two high scoring games, runs were limited in the last game of the series. The visitors from Midway opened the score in the first inning, taking on 0-1 lead.
In the bottom of the second, a
Garrett Causey double was followed up by a single from
Sam Pinckert, tying the game at one.
Midway retook the lead in the fifth inning, making it a 1-2 ballgame. Another Eagles run followed in the sixth, the score was now 1-3. This would end up being the final score, as Oakland City was not able to produce any more runs in the last two innings.
Sam Pinckert accounted for half the Mighty Oaks hits, having two, he also had the sole RBI for Oakland City.
Ben Simmons (L, 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO),
Owen Spears (0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB) and
Evan Price (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) all took the mound for Oakland City.
