A single 9-inning game was scheduled for the Lakers against the newly reformed Wilberforce Bulldogs on Wednesday, 3/8 at Athletes in Action Sports Complex in Xenia, OH. The Lakers, coming off a fresh 4-2 record, were optimistic for the weekday game. Although a 9-7 loss, there were some positives to take from the game. Leading all hitters at the plate was junior Nick Hundley, who recorded 3 hits in the game while also recording an RBI. RBI collectors included juniors Nick Hundley (1) and Hayden Bill (1), sophomore Drew Emerson (2), and freshmen Noah McEldowney (2) and Noah Perkins (1). Sophomore Drew Emerson, as well as freshmen Liam Musgrove and Kaden Davidson, scored twice; junior Nick Hundley scored once in the game. The starting pitcher for the Lakers was freshman Levi Polen, who went 3 innings, allowing 5 runs (5 earned) on 3 hits and 5 walks. He also struck out a hitter in the losing performance. In relief, freshman Austin Scarberry made his collegiate debut, going 5 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and 3 walks. He also struck out 4 Bulldog hitters. Recording his first collegiate hit in the game was freshman Nick Dilhoff.   

This past Saturday (3/11) and Sunday (3/12), the Lakers traveled to Wilmore, KY to battle against the Asbury University Eagles. In Game 1 on Saturday, the Lakers played a close, competitive game, coming out on top with a final score of 3-2. In the low scoring affair, sophomore Brady Hobert was swinging a hot bat at the plate, going 3-3 in the game, drawing a walk and recording an RBI as well. Freshman Noah McEldowney also recorded a hit and RBI in the winning effort. Freshman Noah Crawford recorded his first collegiate hit in the matchup. On the mound, the Lakers started with freshman Ethan Griffith, who went 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run (1 earned) on 2 hits and 5 walks. He also struck out 4 Eagle hitters. In relief, he was followed by sophomore Shane Koedyker, who went 1 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run (1 earned) via a solo home run on 2 hits. After Koedyker, sophomores Trever Sheets (1 inning, 2 walks, no hits or runs allowed) and Dalton Hodge (1 inning, no hits or runs allowed, 1 strikeout) closed out the game, with Sheets securing his first collegiate win and Hodge securing the save.  

In Game 2 on Saturday (3/11), the Lakers showed a lot of fight, but were unable to secure the victory, losing 6-5 in 11 innings. Sophomores Drew Emerson and Brady Hobert, as well as freshmen Liam Musgrove, Kaden Davidson, and Noah McEldowney all recorded 1 hit apiece in the loss. Contributing with an RBI were junior Hayden Bill, sophomore Brady Hobert, and sophomore Drew Emerson. Lakers hitters were able to draw 11 walks, including 2 apiece from sophomore Cade Meade and sophomore Brady Hobert. Senior Sam Conklin started on the mound for the Lakers, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) early in the first inning, including 2 off a 2-run homerun, before settling in and blanking the Eagles for two more innings. In the 3 inning, no decision effort, he allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while also striking out 2 Eagle hitters. Behind Conklin, the bullpen was nearly perfect. Freshman Gabe Link came in in relief first, going 4 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 hitters of his own. To get the final out in the bottom of the 8th, sophomore Alex DiVincenzo slammed the door with a strikeout. Sophomore Dalton Hodge came on in the save situation, but was only able to get 2 outs in the inning, as he allowed one earned run, ultimately before handing the ball over to sophomore Bryce Keen. Keen gave a valiant effort, going 1 2/3 innings, only allowing 1 hit and 1 run, but that lone run made the difference in the game. Keen was given the tough earned loss in the outing. 

In the Sunday (3/12) rubber match, the Lakers were not able to scrape together many runs, although playing soundly on offense and defense, losing the final game of the series by a final of 8-1. Leading hitters at the plate was sophomore Drew Emerson, who had 2 hits; junior Nick Hundley, sophomore Dillon Lacey, and freshman Noah Crawford all had 1 hit each in the contest. Crawford also led hitters by drawing 2 walks in the game. The starting pitcher for the Lakers was sophomore Seth Meade. In the losing effort, Meade pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks. He also recorded 2 strikeouts. During the latter half of the game, freshman Daniel Brayton made a relief appearance, logging 4 innings, also allowing 4 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits and 5 walks. He would strike out 3 Eagles hitters in the game.  

This week, the Lakers return home with a 5-5 record to play a single 9 inning game against Brescia University (8-14-1) of Owensboro, KY on Wednesday, 3/15. Following that contest, the Lakers remain at home to play against Capital University (4-5) of Bexley, OH for a doubleheader on Sunday, 3/18. The Lakers are appreciative of your support and look forward to seeing you at their home stand for the next week. Go Lakers!