IU Columbus played host to Midway University for a three game series last weekend. While both teams featured some good pitching, the visiting Eagles were able to put together enough offensively to sweep the Crimson Pride.

Friday, March 13
Riley Mertl got the starting nod for the Crimson Pride and gave up no runs on only two hits through the first four innings. Ethan Ianni, a local pitcher from Columbus East High School, got the start for Midway, and he was impressive as well. There was no score going into the bottom of the fourth. Garrett Thurman worked a 1-out walk, and Aidan Sheetz hit a 2-out grounder that the Eagles' third baseman booted. Trey VanMeter doubled to left to score Thurman and Sheetz. Grayson Roll followed with an RBI double to give the Crimson Pride a 3-0 lead. 

Midway came back in the top of the fifth and batted around, as Mertl lost his command. He hit three batters in the inning, and gave up a triple and double as well. Gavin Haltom came on in relief and got the second and third outs, but not before Midway had scored five runs to lead 5-3.

Midway added a single run in the sixth. With the Crimson Pride offense managing only one more hit all game the Eagles lead was 6-3 going into the ninth. The visitors tacked on 3 more runs in the ninth to make the final score 9-3.
 
Saturday, March 14
Game 1 
Midway was able to get on the board early as they scored one run in the first and added two more in the second. Tyler Pyles kept the Crimson Pride scoreless through the first five innings. Ty Nicholson homered to lead off the bottom of the sixth to get the offense going. Quentcy Perry followed with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, and then advanced to third on a Wyatt Simpson groundout. Gavin Lash hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Perry to make it 3-2.

1-out singles by Perry and Sutton in the eighth inning gave the Crimson Pride a chance, but a strikeout and groundout ended the threat.
Midway added an insurance run it the ninth to make the final score 4-2.

Game 2
Grayson Roll was the starting pitcher for IU Columbus in the finale. He gave up three 2-out runs in the second inning on a 2-out single, a walk and three more singles. He pitched 4 innings before giving way to Brendan Bailey. Bailey went 2+ innings, and Lane Zohrlaut finished up the seventh inning on the mound.

Nathan McKissick threw a complete game, 4-hit shutout for the Eagles. He scattered four singles while striking out eight and walking no one.

Next on the schedule
The Crimson Pride host Wright State Lake University on Wednesday, March 18 for a doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00.