Baseball: Purple Raiders Ride Strong Pitching to Doubleheader Split at Ohio Northern

4/26/2025 | Baseball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ADA, Ohio - The #23 nationally ranked Mount Union baseball team (24-8, 14-2 OAC) had a doubleheader split in a conference showdown on the road against Ohio Northern University (24-10, 11-3 OAC).

In game one, senior left-handed pitcher Zachary Breeden (Cincinnati, Ohio / Oak Hills) dazzled in his outing performance, pitching 6.0 strong innings of work, allowing no runs. Breeden's season ERA is now lowered to 3.10.

Offensively, the Purple Raiders were shut out, but they out-hit the Polar Bears eight to six. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Chase Mayer (Amherst, Ohio / Amherst Steele) pitched 3.0 innings, allowing only one run.

Freshman catcher Daniel Thome III (Lakewood, Ohio / St. Edwards) and graduate second baseman Andrew Witte (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) led the team with two hits each. Mount Union lost game one by a score of 1-0.

In game two, the Purple Raiders started strong by scoring three runs in the second inning. Sophomore outfielder Brycen Fox (Hamilton, Ohio / Badin) contributed significantly with a two-RBI double to left field. In this game, Fox went 3-for-3, securing three RBIs and getting hit by a pitch. Witte also contributed to the scoring, ending the inning with an RBI single. Fox continued his impressive performance in the third inning, hitting an RBI single through the left side, which extended Mount Union's lead to 4-0.

Ohio Northern added two runs to the scoreboard, with one in the fourth inning and another in the fifth. However, Mount Union quickly responded. Junior outfielder Chris Tsouras (Las Vegas, Nev. / Arbor) contributed with an RBI fielder's choice, marking his team-leading 45th RBI. In the ninth inning, outfielder Luke Ickes (Green, Ohio / Green) hit an RBI single, extending the Purple Raiders' lead to 6-2.

Senior right-handed pitcher Brady Hansen (Beaver, Pa. / Beaver Area), named OAC Pitcher of the Week, had a dominant performance, securing his seventh win of the season. He pitched a complete game, lasting 9.0 innings with four strikeouts and allowing only two runs.

Mount Union's next game will be tomorrow at home against Thiel College, with first pitch set for 1:00 PM.