Box Score

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Otterbein University was dealt a second loss this season from the University of Rio Grande Monday afternoon, narrowly falling 4-2 at VA Memorial Stadium.

The win drops Otterbein to 21-13 on the season while Rio finishes its spring schedule with a 33-18 record.

The game featured a pitching duel from the get-go as Otterbein sophomore Taylor Ellis and Rio Grande’s Heath Dettwiller combined to allow just four hits over the opening six innings.

The Red Storm took a 1-0 lead in the seventh frame, but back-to-back RBI singles from freshman Dylan Holmes and junior Thomas Linder in the eighth put the Cards ahead, 2-1.

Rio Grande tied the game off an infield hit in the bottom of the eighth, and the following batter, Shane Spies, tallied the difference-making runs with a two-run shot over the left-field fence to give his team the lead.

Otterbein brought senior Wes Meadows, the reigning OAC Hitter of the Week, to the plate in the ninth with two outs and two runners on, but the Marion native would strike out looking to end the game.

Ellis walked four but allowed just one hit in a solid six innings of work, but ultimately left with the no-decision. The Cardinals out-hit Rio, 7-5, but committed four fielding errors and left 10 runners on base.

Sophomore Billy Harkenrider was the most productive Otterbein batter on the afternoon, walking twice from the leadoff spot while also tallying a single in the eighth.

The Cardinals will return to action Wednesday afternoon with a 4 p.m. game against Denison University.