Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MARIETTA, Ohio – The Otterbein University baseball team walked away with a doubleheader split Wednesday afternoon at conference rival Marietta College, overcoming a tough 4-3 loss in game one to post an 8-5 triumph in the rematch.

The Cardinals, entering this week ranked No. 23 in the latest national poll, were forced to regroup after a hard-fought 10-inning game to rally from behind in the second contest. Otterbein now sports a 19-7 overall record and is 5-3 within the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).


Game 1 (4-3 Loss)

The first game featured an old-fashioned pitching dual between Otterbein sophomore Johnny Putnam and Marietta junior Ian Luttrell, as neither team was able to score in the initial four innings.

The Pioneers finally cracked the scoreboard in the fifth, getting a leadoff single that soon translated into a sac-bunt followed by an RBI-double. The hosts then delivered a two-out RBI-single off the bat of Michael Barnabei.

Otterbein stared at the deficit until the eight inning, slicing the margin in half on a double-play groundout that brought home Tim Snyder from third base. The Cards went to the ninth needing a run, and received just that when senior catcher Stephan Hernon launched his OAC-leading sixth home run of the year with one out.

Putnam, who only threw 84 pitches through nine innings, kept Marietta at bay in the bottom of the ninth as the game headed for bonus baseball. Cardinal shortstop Ben Beachy put his team ahead in the tenth, dropping down a nice sacrifice bunt with runners at the corners to promptly score senior Brock Frentzel.

Otterbein stayed with Putnam in the tenth, but Marietta opened the inning with a double from Conner Golden and then had consecutive fielder's choice plays that resulted in the tying run. The Cards eventually went to closer Caleb Norton with one out and two Pioneers on base, but the hosts found a way to bring in the winning run on a single to shallow left field.

Putnam (4-1) absorbed his first loss of the season despite cruising most of the day, allowing just six hits over 9.1 innings and striking out four batters. Hernon, the reigning OAC  Hitter of the Week, continued his hot streak by going 3 for 4.

Luttrell took a no-decision while David Stover snagged a win for Marietta, which saw multi-hit games from Barnabei and leadoff man Chris Petrucci.

 
Game 2 (8-5 Win)

The Pioneers carried the momentum into game two in building an early 4-0 lead after a few innings, but Otterbein found some runs in the middle stretch with RBI hits from Snyder and Frentzel in the fourth, and then a third run in the next at-bat.

Marietta widened its lead to 5-3 with a run in the seventh, but Otterbein finally kicked into gear with a big rally in the top of the eighth inning that was spearheaded by a game-tying, two-run blast to left field from sophomore Connor Brett.

The Cards maintained their stride, getting hits from Frentzel and Snyder once again before Pat Birrer poked a go-ahead sacrifice fly to left field. Otterbein, which batted around in the frame and forced three Marietta pitching changes, later found insurance runs on a wild pitch and then an RBI-single from designated hitter Bryan Stopar.

Otterbein wasted no time shutting the door from there, going to Norton in the bottom of the frame and watching the senior pick up his seventh save after facing just three batters in the eighth and then maneuvering his way through the ninth.

Freshman Collin Hoffman earned his third victory of the season on the bump after giving another nice relief effort, allowing just one run and two hits over 3.1 innings. Snyder finished 3 for 5 at the dish in game two while Frentzel and first baseman Christian Chiero had multi-hit affairs.

The Cardinals will turn around quickly to finish out the week, heading to John Carroll University come Friday afternoon for another OAC twin bill. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.