Racers Split with Second Place Warriors to Keep Control of WHAC

FORT WAYNE, IN - In a first-versus-second showdown Friday afternoon, UNOH and Indiana Tech split their doubleheader to keep the Racers in first place in the WHAC. UNOH saw their 22-game winning streak snapped in the opener as the Warriors came from behind to steal the win 4-2, but the Racers kept their hold on first place with a big win in game two lighting up the conference's top pitcher en route to a 9-3 victory.

The two teams traded unearned runs in the first inning but it was UNOH striking the next blow plating one in the third for a 2-1 lead. That score held deep into the scheduled seven-inning contest despite both threating to score along the way. Finally, it was Indiana Tech breaking through using back-to-back homers to score three in the sixth and hand the Racers their first loss since February 23.

Will Myklebust went four innings off the start seeing one unearned run score on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Josh Mauney (3-1) threw an inning and two-thirds in relief and took his first loss of the season after allowing three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Jeremy Yurcak finished off the final out after walking one batter.

The nightcap stood in stark contrast to the opener as UNOH took control early and never looked back. They strung together five hits in the second, including a Jacob Watson two-run blast, that gave them a quick 3-0 lead. The Warriors were aided by three errors and two walks in the bottom of the frame that scored two, but the Racers got both runs back in their next at bat thanks to a two-run double from Seth Freeman. The 5-2 game was blown open in the fifth as pitching and defensive struggles plagued Indiana Tech with two outs. The inning produced three walks, two errors, two wild pitches and two hits for the Racers that added up to a four-run frame and a comfortable 9-2 lead. A balk was responsible for the final run of the game giving the Warriors their third on just two total hits over nine innings.

Fabian Romero and Noah Matheson both went 2-5 in game two with Seth Freeman leading the team with three RBI.

Brayden Lybarger (6-1) threw three and a third innings of one-hit ball allowing two runs with four walks and three strikeouts. Dean Sommer was strong in relief working four and two-thirds innings with one run on one hit while striking out a season high seven batters and walking three. Eliott Traver finished the final three outs striking out one.

UNOH will gear up for their final home stand of the season this weekend taking on Lawrence Tech Saturday, April 12 on Senior Day before hosting Siena Heights on Wednesday.