Baseball Sweeps Findlay To Open GLIAC Play

FINDLAY, OHIO – The Northwood University baseball team opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with a doubleheader sweep at Findlay Friday afternoon (March 25). The Timberwolves earned a 9-2 win in game one before posting an 11-2 victory in game two.

Northwood is now 12-8 overall, 2-0 in the GLIAC. Findlay falls to 7-8 overall, 0-2 in the GLIAC.

The games were originally scheduled to take place at Northwood but were moved to Findlay because of the winter storm that went through Mid-Michigan earlier this week. While the games were played at Findlay, Northwood batted second in both games since they were the original home team.

Findlay got the scoring going in game one, plating a run in the top of the third inning. NU responded immediately, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. The Oilers cut the advantage down to one at 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but that would prove to be the final run of the game for Findlay.  The Timberwolves scored one the fourth, one in the fifth and four in the sixth to earn the win.

Northwood out-hit Findlay 12-6 in the game. The Timberwolves also drew four walks to two for the Oilers.

Daniel Pulver (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) led the Northwood offense, going 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Cody Kuzniczci (Madeira, Ohio/Northern Kentucky) went 2-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Dustin Lee (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Alex Lewandowski (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) improved to 4-1 on the mound, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out five in a complete game victory.

The fifth inning of game two proved to be the key to the contest. Northwood led 2-0 heading to the fifth thanks to single runs in the first and fourth inning. The Timberwolves broke it open in the inning, scoring seven runs on four hits (two doubles), three walks and a hit batter. NU then made it 11-0 with a pair of runs in the seventh. Findlay score their two runs in the top of the ninth inning.

Northwood out-hit the Oilers 11-7 in the game. The Timberwolves also drew eight walks and were hit by two pitches.

Pulver led the way for Northwood once again, finishing 2-4 with a double and three RBIs. Kuzniczci went 2-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Nick Barrientos (Zionsville, Ind./Danville Area CC) and Brian Dombrowski (Troy, Mich./Athens) each went 2-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kyle Vedrode (Alma, Mich./Muskegon CC) picked up his first win as a Timberwolf, allowing four hits while striking out four in seven innings of work.

The two teams will play another doubleheader Saturday (March 25). First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.