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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein baseball team started strong Tuesday afternoon against the nation's top-ranked team, but ultimately came up short in a 9-5 loss against No. 1 College of Wooster during a prime regional showdown at Fishbaugh Field.

The Cardinals, receiving a good chunk of votes in the most recent D3baseball.com/NCBWA and ABCA national polls, now sit 26-10 on the year after dropping just their third outing in the past 18 games. Otterbein will have to regroup quickly with a non-conference matchup at No. 14-ranked Franklin College (Ind.) Wednesday afternoon.

Wooster (31-5) put some pressure on Cardinal starter Chris Sparks early, scoring a quick run and getting the first three runners on base. Sparks fought out of the jam admirably by striking out three-consecutive hitters from that point.

Otterbein erupted in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out and eventually crossing four runs during a stretch that included RBI-singles from Connor Brett and Justin Feltner, along with a sac-fly via the bat of Tim Snyder.

The Fighting Scots, ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2008, used a workmanlike approach to respond and ultimately jump ahead for good shortly thereafter. First team All-American shortstop Michael Wielansky delivered a 2-RBI single in the second and then Harry Witwer-Dukes launched a two-run homer in the third to put the visitors up 5-4.

Wooster later opened n 8-4 advantage with a three-run fifth, and the Cardinals only run from that point would be on a single to right field from Ben Beachy. He was 3 for 5 on the day while Brett finished 2 for 4.

Following Wednesday's matchup at Franklin, the Cards will return home and host Marietta College come Saturday afternoon with the Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season title on the line. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.