WESTERVILLE, OHIO - The Otterbein University baseball team concluded its week with a split against John Carroll University to open conference play, winning 6-2 in game one before narrowly falling 7-6 in game two.
Otterbein, which also defeated JCU 10-9 in a non-conference game March 27, moves to 9-7 overall and 1-1 in Ohio Athletic Conference play with the split. The Blue Streaks now stand at 6-11 on the season, 1-1 in the league.
Down 1-0 early in game one, the Cards notched a pair of runs in the second and third innings to spring ahead 4-1.
The support would be all that senior John LaCorte needed on the mound, as the right-hander allowed just one earned run and struck out nine batters en route to a complete-game victory.
Freshman Thomas Linder, making just his fourth start of the season in left field, hit 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI's out of the eighth spot in the lineup.
John Carroll was able to get to Cardinal starter Matt Frey early in game two, tallying four runs in the top of the second inning. Otterbein, however, bounced right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning courtesy of RBI's from Robb Hendershot, Scott Staarmann, and Matt Workman.
The Tan and Cardinal trailed 6-4 entering the bottom of the seventh, but drew even with a two-run blast over the left field fence from reigning OAC Hitter of the Week Wes Meadows.
The Blue Streaks used a bit of small-ball to generate a run in the top of the ninth, putting Otterbein in a 7-6 hole entering its final at-bat.
Senior Clayton Clever appeared to beat out a ground ball to shortstop to lead off the inning, but was ruled out and left Otterbein with two outs to play with.
The Cards would manage to get a runner on with two outs, but JCU reliever Doug Finley would get a fly ball to end the inning and preserve the victory.
Hendershot and Staarmann each finished 2-for-4 at the plate, combining for three RBI.
The Cards continue OAC play Tuesday, April 5 when they travel to Berea for a doubleheader with Baldwin-Wallace College. The two teams split last season.
