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MARIETTA, Ohio – The Cardinal baseball team came up just short in its quest for an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament championship Saturday evening, falling 5-4 to the University of Mount Union in the title game.

Otterbein University nearly repeated a bit of history, as it was the first and only No. 4 seed to ever win the conference tournament back in 2003. The Cardinals end the 2013 season at 26-17 overall.

"I knew that we were starting to play well at the right time and would be a tough out in this tournament," head coach George Powell said. "I'm so happy with the character and determination of these guys, and especially this senior class. They helped bring us back to where we belong and where we're accustomed to being."

Mount Union got a quick run in the first inning, and added to the lead by plating two more in the bottom of the fourth.

The Cardinals kicked into gear in the fifth, getting a 2-RBI single from Wes Meadows followed by an RBI-single from Sean Kettering to even the game at 3-3.

The Raiders almost jumped ahead in the bottom of the seventh, but a diving catch in right field from junior Thomas Linder ended the inning and kept the game locked.

Otterbein freshman Adam Collier recorded two quick outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Mount Union tallied the difference-making runs during a two-out rally later in the inning.

Kettering singled to left field in the ninth, bringing home freshman Tyler Kent and allowing him to tie the Cardinals' single-season record for most runs scored (51). Nich Pitzer came to bat with the tying run on second base, but a hard-hit shot to left field was tracked down by Mount Union outfielder Ricky Olasz, the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Collier turned in a herculean effort on the bump despite taking the loss, throwing over 125 pitches just two days after going 4.1 innings against Marietta. The Plain City native allowed  just two earned runs.

"He was unbelievable tonight," Meadows said of Collier's performance. "He kept going out there, inning after inning, to help keep us in the game. He proved to everyone that he'll be a force in the league the next three seasons."

Billy Harkenrider turned in a 3-for-4 night at the plate while Meadows and Kettering each drove in two runs. Kettering and Meadows finish the season with 53 and 52 RBI, respectively, falling just shy of the school's single-season mark of 55.

"I'm so proud to be associated with Otterbein baseball," Meadows said. "I've had more fun on this team and within this program than anything I've ever done with baseball. I think it's fitting that our senior class finished like we did after not making the postseason our first three years. This group has such high character."

Meadows, Harkenrider, Kettering, and senior David Cydrus earned spots on the All-Tournament team as a result of their efforts throughout the weekend.

The tournament win for Mount Union is the program's first since the 1970 season, and just the second all time. The Raiders will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, set to begin next week.