Urbana U.’s Oester earns first career win

0

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Urbana University baseball avoided a series sweep against Lincoln University (Pa.) with a 12-11 triumph Sunday, which gave UU head baseball coach Jake Oester his first collegiate coaching victory. Lincoln won the first two games of the series held at Liberty University Baseball Stadium during Saturday’s doubleheader, 7-0 and 5-4.

Four Blue Knights produced multi-hit performances in Sunday’s win, including Isac Franklin (4 for 5; 3B, 2B, 3 RBI), Connor Coy (2 for 4; 3B, 2B, 3 RBI), Damario Brown (2 for 4; 2 2B), Brent West (2 for 3; 2B, RBI), and Daniel Quiroz (2 for 4; RBI).

UU (1-2) totaled 12 hits in Game 3 for an excellent response following a poor showing at the plate Saturday in which the Knights recorded four hits combined in two games.

In his first appearance on the mound this season, junior left-hander Bradley Burkholder was credited with his second career win after recording the final out of the eighth inning. Freshman Robbie Guerrero III slamed the door for his first career save in the bottom of the ninth after UU scored the go-ahead run in the top half.

With the score tied 6-6 after four frames, UU plated four runs in the sixth headlined by Coy’s clutch two-out, bases-loaded double to push the Blue Knights ahead 10-6. Then UU added another run in the seventh for an 11-6 advantage.

However, the Lions (2-1) roared back by tying the game on five runs in the eighth and UU scored the game-winner in the top of the ninth on a throwing error with two outs.

UU starting pitcher Will Keller went three innings on the mound, while reliever Dylan Sheffer tossed four and two-thirds.

A total of 10 newcomers made their Blue Knight debuts over the weekend.

UU returns to action Thursday-Friday, Feb. 23-24, when it travels to Beckley, West Virginia for a three-game series against Ohio Valley.

Submitted story

No posts to display