UNOH Downs Defiance Twice to Stay on Top of WHAC

LIMA, OH - UNOH baseball ran their winning streak up to 18 games Saturday afternoon thanks to a pair of victories over WHAC newcomer Defiance at Racer Field. The doubleheader was originally scheduled to play a 7-inning game followed by a 9-inning game, but game one needed extra innings to decide a winner with the Racers finishing off a 2-1 win in nine forcing game two to become a 7-inning scenario where UNOH ran away from the Yellow Jackets, 13-2.

Defiance scored first in the second inning of game one, but it would be their only run of the game. The Racer offense didn't find much more success but managed to work two singles in the fifth that did enough to tie the game at 1-1. Neither team could produce hit over the next three innings before the Yellow Jackets finally threatened in the ninth. With runners on second and third, UNOH worked out of the jam and avoided any damage setting up their third chance to finish off the game. The third time was the charm as the Racers hit back-to-back singles to open the inning and scored the game winning run on a walkoff wild pitch.

Daniel Healy pitched a strong five and a third innings giving up one unearned run on just two hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Jeremy Yurcak tossed an inning and two-thirds of hitless ball in relief striking out two without a walk. Josh Mauney (3-0) worked the final two innings allowing one hit with two strikeouts and one walk to earn the decision.

Game two started similar to game one with Defiance getting on the scoreboard first. However, that was the only commonality between the two as the Racer offense came alive and put up three or more runs in four of their six at bats. The offensive production was highlighted by a pair of two-run homers from Josh Ledgard in the fourth and Eliomar Otero in the sixth.

Six different Racers logged multiple hits in the game with five bringing in two RBI.

Elida product Brayden Lybarger (5-1) earned the win after four and two-thirds innings of work alllowing two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Josh Mauney made his second appearance of the day in relief after earning the win in game one. Mauney worked an inning and a third without a hit or a walk and one strikeout. Dean Sommer and Jordan Davis combined to complete the final frame with each striking out one.

UNOH will be off Sunday before hosting Rochester Christian in their next outing on Monday, March 31.