VERSAILLES, Ky. -- The Midway University baseball team began their third River States Conference series on the right foot on Thursday night when they hosted Ohio Christian University in their series opener under the lights at Chandler Field.
The Eagles (11-11, 6-1 RSC) pounded out 12 hits and plated 12 runs, while allowing four runs on eight hits en route to the 12-4 victory over the Trailblazers (5-18, 1-6 RSC).
The Midway offense got off to a hot start when they plated eight runs on six hits in the second inning to take the 8-0 lead. In all, the Eagles sent 13 batters to the plate with four different players tallying at least one RBI.
Matthew Olson (Louisville, Ky.) laced a double in the inning, while Koy Lindsey (Sonora, Ky.) ripped a two-run double. Graeham Luttor (Toronto, Canada) and Layne Peavler (Harrodsburg, Ky.) each had one RBI in the inning.
Midway added a run in the fourth frame to give starter, Brandon Aoki (Camarillo, Calif.) more than enough run support. In the fourth, Carlos Cespedes (Santo Domingo, D.R.) hit a one-out single as he scored on an RBI double by Francisco Quinonez (Tampa, Fla.).
The nine runs were more than enough for Aoki. The left-hander didn't have his best stuff, but gave Midway five solid innings. Aoki (3-2) fanned eight in five frames, while allowing two unearned runs on six hits.
Cameron McAnally (Owenton, Ky.) came out and started the sixth, but couldn't finish the inning. He allowed three consecutive walks and was pulled for Conner Lindsay (Nicholasville, Ky.). He finished the sixth after allowing two runs that were charged to McAnally.
Following McAnally, Midway's bullpen was lights out. After Lindsay's scoreless outing, Noah Marion (Louisville, Ky.), Anibal Salado (Santo Domingo, D.R.) and Daniel Chaffin (Elk River, Minn.) each tossed scoreless innings.
Marion and Salado pitched the seventh and eighth, respectively, and didn't allow a base hit, while Chaffin surrendered one hit in the ninth after getting a double play to seal the victory.
Midway added two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth for good measure.
Three players tallied two hits for the Eagles, while four collected two RBI's each. Olson, Luttor and Quinonez each had two hits and two RBI's, while Lindsey added a base hit and two RBI's. Kurt Paldino (Overland Park, Kans.) and Peavler each had one RBI. Cespedes scored three runs, while Francis Mejia (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and Peavler each scored two runs apiece.
The two teams will wrap up their series on Friday, March 16, when they play a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. ET at Chandler Field.
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