AUBURNDALE, Fla.—The Mount Union baseball team (9-2) notched a ranked victory against no. 19 Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2-2) with a convincing 9-4 victory. Junior pitcher
Luke Ickes (Green, Ohio / Green) starred on the mound and at the plate, pitching 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts and allowing only three runs. Ickes at the plate batted 2-5 with an RBI single, having a strong overall performance.
The Purple Raiders began the scoring early in the game, putting three runs on the board in the first inning. Junior third baseman
Drew Denham (Alliance, OH / Marlington) hit a single through the left side of the infield, driving in two runs. Additionally, freshman catcher
Jake Jung (Westlake, OH / Westlake) walked with the bases loaded, bringing in another run for Mount Union and giving them a 3-0 lead.
Titans relief pitcher Joe Richardson did an excellent job getting out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out two consecutive batters. Richardson had a stellar performance in relief, pitching 3.2 innings, recording eight strikeouts, and allowing only one run.
Oshkosh scored two runs in response in the top of the second, as shortstop Aaron Davis hit a two-RBI single. The Purple Raiders would add another run in the bottom of the fifth inning with an RBI sacrifice fly by Denham. In the top of the sixth, the Titans responded quickly with an RBI single through the right side by second baseman Braydon Skenandore.
Mount Union went on to score five runs between the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Senior right fielder
Chris Tsouras (Las Vegas, NV / Arbor) hit a booming two-RBI double to deep left field. Junior outfielder
Brycen Fox (Hamilton, OH / Badin) contributed with an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, and then Ickes delivered an RBI single to center field. In the eighth inning, Jung scored on a passed ball, ultimately giving the Purple Raiders a 9-3 lead.
Oshkosh managed to score one more run in the ninth inning, but freshman right-hander
Logan Ellis (Lakewood, OH / Lakewood) secured his first save of the season, pitching 3.1 innings and recording four strikeouts. Ellis's performance helped secure a 9-4 victory.
The Purple Raiders will play Hope College tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM as the team returns to Winter Haven, Florida, at Chain O'Lakes Field #3. This will be the team's third game of the Florida trip.