Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Otterbein University baseball team kicked off its season in nail-biting fashion over the weekend, earning a pair of extra-inning victories to start its season on a nice note.

The Cardinals held seven-run leads in both games, but allowed the opposition to fight its way back over the latter innings as both contests became very interesting late.

Otterbein's offense stormed out of the gate Saturday against Augustana College (Ill.), plating seven runs over the opening three innings to build an early advantage.

Cardinal sophomore Robert Kemer held the Vikings to just one run over his five innings on the bump, but Augustana was able to take advantage of a questionable call in the seventh frame and get back in the game. Otterbein leftfielder Brock Frentzel appeared to have made a diving catch on a fly ball with two outs, but the field umpire ruled that it hit the ground. Augustana went on to score five runs in the inning.

The Vikings plated the tying run on an infield single with two outs in the ninth, but Otterbein was able to regroup and win the game in extra innings. Catcher Mark Walton scored the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball, and Caleb Norton came on in the bottom of the inning to record the final out and notch the save.

Four Cardinals had multi-hit games, led by three RBI and a pair of doubles from centerfielder Tyler Kent.

Otterbein fans saw a fairly similar script on day two, watching the Cards build an 8-1 lead after seven innings of action against Newbury College (Mass.). Otterbein, replacing almost all of its starters in the field prior to the ninth inning, unfortunately saw the Nighthawks rally to force extra innings with seven runs in their final-at bat.

The Cardinals would ultimately prevail again, watching freshman Dom Guzzi rip a timely double in the tenth inning before catcher Stephan Hernon came up with a walk-off single.

Shortstop Sean Kettering had a nice day at the plate for the Tan and Cardinal, tallying a single, double and triple in the game to finish 3 for 4 at the dish. Freshman left-hander Stevie Yuran, who came in and held Newbury scoreless in the top of the tenth, was credited with the first win of his young career.

Otterbein now gets set for a pair of upcoming doubleheaders, playing Saint John's (Minn.) on Monday before a Tuesday twinbill with Finlandia (Mich.)