By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Xenia, OH---The No. 13-ranked Express couldn't escape two big innings while losing both games of a doubleheader, 11-6 and 7-5 to Ohio Community College Athletic Conference foe Sinclair Community College Sunday.
Game 1: Sinclair 11 Owens 6
Owens jumped out to a 5-2 lead after three innings with a five-run third inning. However, Sinclair answered back with a six-run fourth inning, and they added two more in the sixth for an 11-6 win.
Jordan Basinger (Kalida/Kalida, Ohio) started and took the loss for Owens. He went the first 3.2 innings and allowed six hits and six runs (four earned).
Joe Sickler (Bowling Green/Bowling Green, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, while Austin Gunn (Delta/Delta, Ohio) went 3-for-3 with a run. Blake Schmenk (Perrysburg/Perrysburg, Ohio) added a 2-for-4, one run and one RBI performance.
Game 2: Sinclair 7 Owens 5
Owens held a 5-2 lead going into the bottom half of the sixth inning until Sinclair put five runs across to take a 7-5 win to sweep the doubleheader.
Zak Esposito (Sandusky/Sandusky, Ohio) started for the Express and received a no-decision. He finished with five-plus innings, while allowing four runs (two earned). He struck out seven.
Kelley Wagner (Brownstown/Brownstown, Ind.) relieved him and ended up with the loss, although errors played a part in it as all three runs Wagner allowed in his one inning were unearned. He struck out one.
Gunn finished his strong day at the plate as he went 2-for-3 with two runs and an inside the park home run. Jesse Solomon (Wayne/Huber Heights, Ohio) went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Owens is now 15-7 overall (1-3 OCCAC). The Express play their next game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lorain County Community College.