UNOH Triumphs behind Undefeated Proctor

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Days after receiving its highest NAIA Coaches' Poll ranking in program history, the No. 13 University of Northwestern Ohio baseball team returned to Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference action at Cornerstone University on Friday.

The Racers (27-10, 17-1 WHAC) claimed a 7-0 shutout over the Golden Eagles (16-21, 8-9 WHAC) in the weekend opener as UNOH used the dual attack of ace Damon Proctor on the mound and its powerhouse offense at the plate.

UNOH picked up its first two runs in the first inning as Kyle Fisher scored on a wild pitch following a lead-off error. Jose Paulino followed with a single before scoring on a RBI groundout from Junior Gomez.

CU's defense picked it up over the next three innings as the Racers were uncharacteristically held hitless over the span before breaking the drought in the fifth. Meanwhile, UNOH's defense prevented the Golden Eagles from capitalizing on their four hits during that time as they stranded three without scoring.

It was in the sixth when the Racers added to their 2-0 lead as a Fisher sacrifice fly scored Felix Correa. UNOH then added back-to-back runs in the seventh as Jonathon Rodriguez picked up a RBI on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded before a sac fly by Carlos Baerga, Jr. drove in Blake Maines.

The Racers ended the game scoring two more runs over the span of the final two innings.

On the mound, Proctor (9-0) remained perfect during his so-far stellar senior campaign. He only allowed only five hits throughout his third complete game victory of the season as he surrendered the 17 of the final 18 batters he faced. In total, he struck out 10 batters and walked one. The complete game was his second in a row.

The two teams meet again on Saturday with a series-concluding doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM at DeWitt Field in Grand Rapids.