Tigers Sweep Cardinals in Home Opening Doubleheader

JOLIET, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University baseball team opened its four-game series with the Cardinals of Concordia University- Ann Arbor sweeping Friday's doubleheader at DuPage Medical Field.

Game One: Olivet Nazarene 2, Concordia- Ann Arbor 1

The Tigers and Cardinals were stuck in a pitcher's duel in most of this game. The Cardinals' lone run came on an RBI single in the second inning. Tiger pitcher Ethan Underwood (SO/Woodstock, Ga.) would keep the Cardinals in check the rest of the way as he went the distance surrendering one run on seven hits and struck out nine Cardinal batters.

The Tigers, meanwhile, got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Jacob Bulthuis (SR/Tinley Park, Ill.) led off the inning and reached on an error. After Jordan Veldman (SO/Mahomet, Ill.) singled and advanced Bulthuis to third, Braedon Payne (JR/Avon, Ind.) drove in Bulthuis on a bunt single tying the game at one. After the Cardinals did not answer back in the top of the seventh, the Tigers plated the winning run in the bottom half of the frame. Both Timo Schau (SR/Chicago, Ill.) and Terry Daniels (SR/Auburn, N.Y.) singled to start the inning. Then, Kai Hudson (SO/St. Petersburg, Fla.) laid down a sacrifice bunt moving Schau and Daniels up 90 feet.

After Bulthuis was intentionally walked to load the bases, the Tigers won on a walk-off walk by Veldman, 2-1.

Game Two: Olivet Nazarene 10, Concordia-Ann Arbor 3

The Tigers jumped on the Cardinal pitching in the first inning. With one out, Hudson walked, Bulthuis singled, and Veldman walked to load the bases. Payne then drew a walk, which plated Hudson and then Moonen was hit by the pitch and scored Bulthuis. The next batter was Dylan Miller (JR/Las Vegas, Nev.) and he hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Veldman. The Tigers led 3-0 after one inning of play. The Cardinals opened their scoring in the second inning on an RBI groundout making the score 3-1. The Tigers added a couple more runs in the fourth inning. With one out, Schau doubled down the left field line. Daniels then doubled home Schau making the score 4-1. Then, Hudson singled to centerfield and drove home Daniels making the score 5-1.

The Tigers broke the game open in the fifth inning. ONU loaded the bases for Schau and Schau hit a single and reached third on an error by the Cardinal centerfielder. On the play, the three runs came across to score and now the Tigers led 8-1. Daniels then picked up his second double and scored Schau. After Daniels moved to third on wild pitch, Hudson grounded out to third basemen and knocked in Daniels. The Tigers led 10-1.

The Cardinals scored two more late runs in the seventh inning, but timely hitting and great pitching lifts Tigers past the Cardinals game two, 10-3.

Game Vitals

Finals: Game One: Olivet Nazarene 2, Concordia-Ann Arbor 1 | Game Two: Olivet Nazarene 10, Concordia-Ann Arbor 3

Records: Olivet Nazarene 4-9 | Concordia Ann-Arbor 3-5

Location: DuPage Medical Field | Olivet Nazarene University | Joliet, Ill.

Quick Hits

• Daniels and Schau led the Tigers with three hits combined in two games.
• Daniels amassed two doubles and two RBIs in the second game.
• Hudson picked up two RBIs in the second game.
• The Tigers drew eight walks combined in both games.
• Underwood and Aren Gustafson (JR/Rockton, Ill.) picked up their first wins of the season on the mound.
• Gustafson pitched five innings, surrendering two hits on one run and struck out seven Cardinal batters.

What's Next?

The Tigers host these same Cardinals tomorrow for a doubleheader at Watson Field. Tomorrow's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu