TIGERS FALL ON A WALK-OFF HOME RUN AT ST. FRANCIS

JOLIET, Ill. – After winning its Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against Trinity International, 12-2, the Olivet Nazarene University has a quick turnaround as they travel up the road to DuPage Medical Field to play the Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis on Thursday afternoon. The Tigers fall on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th, 2-1. 

The two teams were stuck on a pitcher's duel throughout the game as the Tigers turned to their ace Ethan Underwood.  The only run that Underwood allowed was an RBI double in the bottom of the first.  The Tiger right-handed hurler threw seven innings and struck out five batter and walked one. 

In the top of the eighth, the Tigers scored the equalizing run.  With one out, Rod Lucas singled.  Then, Robert Jackman singled through the right side and moved Lucas, who was in motion in the play, to third base.  With Nolan Louis at-bat, the Fighting Saint catcher was trying to pick off Lucas but the throw went into left field and Lucas scored thus tying the game at one. 

The two teams were unable to score in the ninth as the game will be decided in extra innings.  The Fighting Saints hit a walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th as they take the first game of the series, 2-1. 

GAME VITALS

Final: St. Francis 2, Olivet Nazarene 1 F/10

Records: St. Francis: 6-15 | Olivet Nazarene: 8-13

Location: DuPage Medical Field | University of St. Francis | Joliet, Ill.

QUICK HITS

• Underwood earned the no-decision after a quality outing. 
• Jackman, Jacob Bulthuis, Ryan Russmann, Gunnar Pullins, and Lucas only scattered one hit apiece. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers host the Fighting Saints for the remainder of the three-game series on Saturday, March 19th.  The first pitch for game one is set for noon.  Please visit onutigers.com for any schedule changes and the updated live links.

--ONU—

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