FLORENCE, Ky. – Runs were in high supply throughout Sunday afternoon down at UC Health Stadium, as the Otterbein baseball team launched its season with a pair of lopsided wins in a doubleheader against Mount St. Joseph.

The Cardinals, winning by scores of 22-7 and 15-3, worked in many players around the diamond to begin their season on a high note. Players and coaches will now shave their heads this week in their annual Vs. Cancer initiative, before heading down to Florida for spring break.

Game 1: (W 22-7)

The Otterbein bats scored multiple runs in all seven innings against MSJ, overcoming a very early 4-2 deficit and breaking the doors open late. Mount St. Joseph only trailed 7-6 game midway through, but an RBI-single from Luke Barber and ensuing two-run homer from designated hitter Will Johnson in the fourth frame helped start a flurry.

The Cards tacked on more runs late, including a solo blast from Quintin Power and 2-RBI single off the bat of Andrew Brownley, en route to the comfortable win. Power, a sophomore catcher, homered after missing all of last season with an injury.

Junior Ethan Doty went the first four innings on the mound before Chris Sparks and Zach Beatty kept MSJ at ease throughout the final three. The trio combined to strike out 10 hitters.

 
Game 2: (W 15-3)

Otterbein built a methodical 3-0 lead after four innings of game two, which saw a towering shot over the center field fence from Barber in the second, before exploding in the middle portion.

The Cards crossed nine runs throughout the fifth and six, which saw Johnson launch a two-run blast for his second round tripper of the day and then scoring plays on doubles from transfers Brayden Carter and Ryan Mitchell.

Barber catapulted a three-run homer late, and then run support would be more than enough for another trio of Cardinal arms on the bump. Sophomore Travis Engard three four scoreless innings as the starter before giving way to his teammates.

The staff tallied 15 more strikeouts in the nine-inning affair, with senior Collin Hoffmann fanning six over a scoreless 3.2 to culminate. Sophomore outfielder Sam Edgell hit a combined 5 for 7 across the two outings.


UP NEXT:

Otterbein will get situated for 10 games in the sunshine state, beginning this Saturday with contests against Misericordia and Mitchell. Stay tuned to otterbeincardinals.com, the baseball schedule page, and all social media outlets for continual coverage.