OBERLIN, Ohio – Amongst the less than desirable playing conditions, three hits and one unearned run would be all that Oberlin College could muster against senior right-hander Mike Pereslucha on Friday afternoon at Dill Field. For the second consecutive start, Pereslucha would go the distance; this time, striking out nine batters to help guide the Gators (12-13, 4-5 NCAC) to a 4-1 win over the Yeoman (14-17, 5-8 NCAC), all the while, keeping the Gators' playoff hopes alive and well.

Despite being held to just three hits off of Pereslucha, Oberlin had their chances to score throughout the game. The Yeoman hitters were able to work five free passes, but only brought one run home as they stranded a total of 10 base runners in the game.

Before throwing his first pitch of the game, Pereslucha was staked to a 2-0 lead after senior Matt Stahl hit a two-run bomb the other way to right-center field with two outs in the top half of the first inning. Sophomore Eric Hansen scored on the Stahl shot after he led the game off with a single through the left side.

The bottom of the first would prove to be the first threat the Yeoman would make against Pereslucha after they loaded the bases with nobody out. After a lineout to Stahl for the first out, Pereslucha would get the next two batters swinging to end the threat unscathed.

Both starting pitchers would settle down after their shaky first innings, and throw up zeros in the runs and hits columns over the next three innings.

A two-out double in the top of the fifth by Hansen put him in scoring position for rookie Kyle Davis, who promptly chased Hansen home with a RBI single to centerfield. Hansen would account for exactly half of the Gators' six total hits in the game. The Yeoman would get on the board in the bottom of the fifth, but Pereslucha, once again, worked out of a major no-out jam, and held the Yeoman to the one run.  

The Gators would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh giving Perelsucha a little more breathing room to come out in the bottom half and close out the game. A leadoff double would make things interesting, but Perelsucha would get the next three batters in order to secure the win.

Rain would call for the scheduled second game of the doubleheader to be cancelled. Next up for the Gators is another pivotal conference doubleheader against Kenyon College at home on Saturday, April 23rd. The scheduled start time is 1:00 p.m.