By Taylor Hodges
FHU Sports Information Director
sHot bats in game one and a late rally in game two on Saturday earned the No. 8 Lions (4-0) the series sweep, taking down Northwest Ohio (3-4) 12-6 and 4-2 in the final two games of the four-game series to open the season.
In game one, it was Josh Sears and Dom Pisano who went deep for the Lions, kick-starting a game where the offense shined. In game two, Tyler Duskin threw a gem in relief and freshman Drew Robertson had the clutch bat again, driving in two runs to give the Lions a 4-2 lead in the eighth inning after they trailed 2-0 up until that point in the game.
Pisano, Bryce Lester and Cole Nichols each brought in two runs in game one. Sears, Brady Harris, Zach Mueller and Isaac Howeth each had an RBI of their own.
Connor Creasy made his first appearance after redshirting a year ago due to an injury. His fastball reached as high as 90 miles per hour during his five innings, in which he only gave up one run and struck out four batters.
Game two of the day, four of the series, was a slower start offensively for the Lions.
Last year’s team leader in total innings, Austin Steel, got the start on the mound and threw a strong game, only giving up two runs in five innings while striking out five batters.
Duskin came on in relief in the sixth inning, and the Racers couldn’t touch him. The lefty had his off-speed pitches working, and he held the visitors scoreless over his four innings while striking out six batters, giving his offense a chance to go out and win the game.
They would do just that in the eighth inning. They scored for runs, the first two being brought in by a passed ball and an error by the pitcher.
With runners on second and third, Robertson – the hero from game one of the series – had another clutch hit, sending one down the left-field line to bring in both runs. Duskin would come back on in the ninth to finish the Racers off and earn the win and his team the sweep.
It was a strong Saturday for Pisano who went 3-for-4 in game two of the day with three doubles in addition to his home run in the first game.
Will McCall went 3-for-4 in the first game of the day while scoring two runs.
The Lions will be back in action on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, when they travel to New Orleans to take on Loyola University.
Games one and two on Friday will begin at 5 p.m. with games three and four on Saturday starting at noon.
