PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Otterbein baseball team stands 2-2 after a roller-caster beginning to its annual spring break trip, launching over the weekend at the Snowbird Classic inside North Charlotte Regional Park.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

SATURDAY – #14 Misericordia (L 14-3) and Mitchell (L 6-3)

• The Cardinals opened with a pair of disappointing losses, falling against No. 14-ranked Misericordia University (Pa.) and then under the lights in a shortened game with Mitchell College from Connecticut.
   
• Otterbein only trailed Misericordia 5-0 midway through the sixth before the Cougars blew things open in the later innings. The game saw 25 combined hits but Misericordia took advantage of more opportunities, as Cardinal pitchers issued four walks and six hit batsmen.
   
• Free passes remained the theme against Mitchell in the nightcap, as high-velocity hurlers Conor Crotty and Killian Brewer threw a bunch of good pitches but saw up-and-down moments. They combined for 10 strikeouts in five innings, but also granted 13 free passes with nine walks and four HBP's.
   
• Otterbein actually led 2-0 early after Dmitri Collaros scored on a failed pickoff attempt and Luke Barber tripled to right-center, but it was all Mitchell from that point on. The Mariners scored six unanswered runs despite committing five errors in the field, and received a victory after the game was called due to heavy fog in the sixth frame.
   

SUNDAY - #14 Misericordia (W 8-3)

• Otterbein earned redemption behind a stellar pitching effort from sophomore Ethan Doty, who allowed just two runs over seven innings in his first outing of the year. He was ahead of almost every hitter, pitching well to contact and not walking anyone over 101 pitches.
   
• Misericordia initially led 2-0 until the Cards took control, flying ahead in the third inning during a rally that saw RBI from freshmen Sam Edgell and Zach Pommier.
   
• The Cards turned things over to all-region closer Collin Hoffman in the eighth, and he received a nice pair of insurance runs when pinch-hitter Vince Ruggieri rocketed a two-out, two-RBI double into the gap in the ninth.
   

MONDAY – Bluffton (W 8-3)

• The Cards worked past Bluffton behind another strong performance on the hill, this time coming via freshman Travis Engard and his no earned runs in seven innings. He threw 93 pitches and also did not walk a batter.
   
• Otterbein caused Bluffton freshman Carson Curnutte, making his first career start, trouble on the paths early with five stolen bases. The Cards barely left the infield en route to a 5-0 lead, scoring on two infield singles and then a pair of throwing errors by the Beavers.
   
• All three Bluffton runs were unearned after the Cards dropped two popups in the later innings, but Otterbein responded to plate three runs on a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORES:

• The Cards allowed 23 free passes in the first two games, and then just four across the second two outings.
   
• Collaros has reached base at least twice in every game from the leadoff spot, giving a pair of 2 for 4 efforts and then walking twice in the next two. He appeared to have suffered a scary injury lunging for a ball in Sunday's game against Misericordia, but popped back up moments later and remained in the game.
   
• Freshman Sam Edgell is a combined 6 for 8 hitting in the last two games and has scored three runs. He was primarily a first baseman in high school and now getting used to playing right field.
   
• Catcher Adam Stotler has been steady behind the plate in taking over for the departed Justin Feltner. The sophomore, wearing his older brother's No. 11 this year, has thrown out two baserunners, allowed only one passed ball and contributed some lengthy at-bats offensively en route to six hits on the young season.
   
• Seniors Tyler Thompson (LF) and Tim Snyder (CF) have shown nice range in the outfield grass, using good breaks and speed to track down multiple fly balls/line drives. The veteran duo also combined for seven hits in the Bluffton game.
   
• Opponents thus far have been above formidable. Misericordia was in the NCAA Division III World Series last year, Mitchell made an NCAA Regional and Bluffton fell in their HCAC Tournament to Anderson.

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will enjoy a sunny Tuesday off before getting back on the diamond Wednesday afternoon, facing Saint John's (Minn.) at the Player Development Complex in Fort Myers. The Cards will have five-straight games to finish the trip, all against very good competition. Access the schedule page and stay tuned to our social media outlets for more updates/information.