Baseball Drops Two in Season Debut

KNOXVILLE, TN - It was a difficult start to the 2026 campaign for UNOH baseball battling through several schedule adjustments due to weather before being able to open the year at No. 18 Johnson. When they finally got the season underway Sunday, the Racers tried to come from behind in game one but fell just short, 13-11, before ending the nightcap with a second two-run loss, 3-1.

The Royals jumped on top in their first at bat of the day adding seven more runs in the fourth to take a commanding 9-1 lead. After the two traded runs in the fifth, UNOH finally broke through in the six to get themselves back in the game. A lead off double and a walk put ducks on the pond followed by a single and another double that brought the two runners home. A fielder's choice registered the second out of the inning, but the Racers used a single, a passed ball, a walk and one more single to make it a five-run frame and a 10-7 ball game. Johnson added one in the bottom and two more in the home seventh which proved to be the difference in the game. UNOH loaded the bases in their final at bat and scored four off a double and single with two outs but the comeback came up short.

Fabian Romero (2-3), Eric Impson (2-4) and Cesar Grau (2-3) all logged a multi-hit game with all three recording two RBI. Tyler Huff also registered two RBI going 1-4 in the game.

Brayden Lybarger (0-1) took the loss after three and a third innings of work allowing five earned runs on three hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Jordan Davis and Noah Curi combined for three and third innings in middle relief with eight runs, five earned, on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Josh Mauney finished the final inning and a third without a run giving up just one hit with one walk and one strikeout.

The Royals struck first again in the nightcap plating two in their first at bat that ended up being the difference in the end. Dylan Mroz ripped the team's first homerun of the season in the top of the fifth to put the Racers on the board, but Johnson added a third in the bottom and finished off the doubleheader sweep.

Eliomar Otero, Dylan Mroz and Cesar Grau were the only Racers to get a hit in game two with the team's lone RBI going to Mroz with his solo home run.

Zach Cabell (0-1) took the loss but pitched a strong five innings allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Carter Hicks made his debut in the final inning keeping the Royals without a hit while walking two and striking out one.

UNOH and Johnson will play the third game of their series on Monday, February 9 with a single, nine-inning contest beginning at 1:00 PM.