Four baseball games were played during the weekend. After a tough loss in game one, the Mighty Oaks fought back and showed character in some close games. Quality ballgames were played at Konkler Field, preparing the team to start conference play next weekend.
Game 1
A rough start to weekend for the Mighty Oaks on Saturday morning. In nine innings, Oakland City was not able to bring home a single run. Aquinas scored three in the fifth inning, giving them the lead. These were the only runs they would score, making the final score 0-3.
Artem Logvinov had the most hits for the Mighty Oaks, collecting two. On the bump, coach Andy Lasher used three arms.
Gehrig Tenhumberg started the game and did a solid job. He went six innings, in which he gave up five hits and three runs (1 earned), while walking one and striking out an impressive twelve batters. His relievers were
Evan Price (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) and
Owen Spears (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO).
Game 2
After a game where the offense was not able to succeed, the tables turned in game two of the doubleheader. The Mighty Oaks looked at an early 0-2 deficit, after a two-run homerun for Aquinas in the top of the first. Oakland City came with an answer in the third inning. Singles from
Leyton Ivers,
Sam Pinckert and
Xander Willis (RBI) were the foundation for a two-run inning. The Mighty Oaks were able to take the lead an inning later.
Kiefer Parsons singled with one out,
Leyton Ivers followed him with a double. With two runners in scoring position,
Aron Busick connected for a nice RBI single to right centerfield, putting the score at 4-2. An inning later, Aquinas tied the game, putting the score at 4-4.
The Mighty Oaks stayed hot at the dish, as in the bottom of the fifth, three runs were scored.
Noah Baugher led off with a single,
Xander Willis followed with a double and
Oliver Hamilton connected for a 3-run homerun. Hamilton's big swing put Oakland City in a comfortable position, making it now a 7-4 ballgame. The Mighty Oaks added one more run in the sixth,
Marcos Arocho got on base with a lead-off single, he stole second and was able to advance to third on a groundout. A wild pitch allowed him to score the eighth Oakland City run.
Thomas King stated the game for Oakland City. He pitched four innings, allowing three hits and two runs (both earned), while walking one and striking out five.
Milan van der Breggen (W, 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) and
Drew Fifer (S, 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO) came in the game out of the bullpen.
Game 3
After splitting the day on Saturday, Oakland City started off very well on Sunday. After two quick outs in the first inning, the Mighty Oaks were able to score eight runs. Here's how they did it:
Noah Baugher doubled,
Xander Willis got hit by a pitch,
Oliver Hamilton drew a walk,
Artem Logvinov also walked (RBI),
Garrett Causey singled (2 RBI),
Kiefer Parsons got a base hit,
Marcos Arocho went yard for a three-run homerun and
Aron Busick followed with a solo blast.
Two more runs were added when
Artem Logvinov, homered to left-center field to make it a 10-0 ballgame. After two walks in the fifth,
Sam Pinckert singled to collect an RBI,
Noah Baugher did the same thing, putting the twelfth Oakland City run on the scoreboard. The Saints of Aquinas College scored two runs in the sixth. After seven innings (mercy rule), the final score was 12-2.
The pitchers for the Mighty Oaks were
Benjamen Simmons (W, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 SO),
Kendric Sorgius (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) and
Konnor Kreinbrook (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO).
Game 4
After a big victory, Oakland City had to fight hard to complete the series win. Aquinas took an early 1-0 lead. In the second inning, the Mighty Oaks came with an answer. A lead-off walked for
Artem Logvinov got followed by a productive groundout from
Leyton Ivers, moving Logvinov into scoring position.
Marcos Arocho came in clutch once again, driving Logvinov in with a double to the right-centerfield gap.
The visitors from Michigan retook the lead in the top of the third, scoring three runs. In the bottom half of the inning, Oakland City answered right away. Hits came from
Fred Fernandez,
Alec Pruitt (RBI),
Leyton Ivers (RBI),
Marcos Arocho (RBI),
Aron Busick (RBI),
Sam Pinckert (RBI) and
Noah Baugher (RBI). This offensive outburst allowed for six runs to score, making it now a 7-4 ballgame. Four shutout innings from
Kiefer Parsons, who came in the game out of the bullpen, allowed Oakland City to take home the third victory of the weekend. Parsons earned the win, taking over the pitching duties from
Tommy Johnson.
On Monday, the Mighty Oaks will face Asbury University at 3 PM on the home turf. The JV squad will play Vincennes University on Tuesday at 5 PM, also at Konkler Field. During the weekend River States Conference play will start. On Friday night, at 5 PM, Oakland City will host Ohio Christian University. The series will continue on Saturday at noon with a doubleheader.
