Williamsburg, KY – Fourth-seed University of Northwestern Ohio scored in five different innings to defeat third-seed Point Park 13-5 to advance to the championship game of the Williamsburg Bracket of the NAIA Baseball Opening Round Tuesday afternoon at Doyle Buhl Stadium. With the win Racers improve to 41-18, while the Pioneers move to 46-8.
Northwestern Ohio jumped out to a quick lead as Blake Maines reach on a fielder's choice. Jack Barrie followed with a two-run blast to leftfield giving the Racers a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first Edberg Dominguez doubled to lead off the game; however he was thrown out at the plate on the next play as he tried scoring on a UNOH misplay. Later in the inning, Point Park loaded the bases and Richard Perez hit a sacrifice fly to center to cut the deficit to 2-1.
After a scoreless second, UNOH plated four in the third with three runs scoring on a Dayfran Ortiz three-run homerun to extend the lead to 6-1.
Point Park recorded a run in each the third and fourth inning to make the score 6-3.
The score remained that way until the fifth when Erich Gonzalez hit a one-out single. Two batters later, Ortiz belted a two-run homer to left to give the Racers an 8-3 advantage. UNOH plated three runs in the seventh, while added a run in each the eighth and ninth inning.
Erik Montero blasted a solo shot to left in the bottom of the seventh for Point Park. The Pioneers added a run in the eighth as the Pioneers put their first two runners on base. After a fielder's choice, Stegan Mrkonja hit an RBI groundout allowing Ben Herstine to score for the 13-5 final.
Ortiz led the way for UNOH going 3-5 with a pair of homeruns, five RBI, and two runs scored. Barrie finished 3-5 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Gonzalez also plated three runs. Mitch Ebben (6-0) pitched 3.1 innings of relief scattering three hits and one run, while striking out two.
Montero and Herstine each went 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored on the day for Point Park. Richard Perez chipped in a pair of RBI. Felix Castillo (9-1) took the loss after hurling 6.1 innings allowing ten hits and nine runs.
UNOH advances to the championship game Wednesday at 12 p.m. Point Park moves into the elimination bracket and will face the winner of the Bryan vs. Cumberlands game tonight at 7 p.m.
