WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinals dropped another tight, frustrating, disappointing and low-scoring baseball game to begin another weekend series Friday afternoon, this time coming up short in a 2-0 final with Heidelberg at Fishbaugh Field.

Otterbein, falling back to an even 10-10 on the season, will have Saturday off before heading to Tiffin for a doubleheader against the Student Princes. Friday's contest was a rematch of the most recent (2019) OAC Tournament Championship showdown, in which the Cardinals prevailed before Heidelberg went on to make the World Series.

This newest matchup settled into an old-fashioned pitcher's duel between two of the OAC's top hurlers, featuring Otterbein's Collin Hoffmann and Heidelberg's Ross Thompson.

Heidelberg manufactured a run in the third (off the bat of Cayden Rollins) as a two-out, slow-bouncing single got through the middle to bring around Kyle Jenkins. The Berg found an insurance run in the sixth despite Otterbein having multiple opportunities to finish the inning…

Eric DeVore appeared ready to be tagged at second while trying to stretch a two-out double, but the ball was mishandled and he slid in safely. DeVore then didn't have the best jump when trying to advance to third on a ball in the dirt, but a bouncing throw down ended up in left field and he ended up crossing unearned.

Otterbein had ample opportunities throughout but couldn't quite convert. Jamie Perebzak poked a leadoff double in the fifth, but three-straight outs followed. The opening hitter reached base in the seventh, but a quick double-play ball ensued…

The Cards had their best chance in the eighth, walking twice to begin the at-bat and chasing Thompson out of the game. Heidelberg's Cameron Deemer entered, and delivered a timely pickoff at second base to catch Otterbein's lead runner. The next-two hitters struck out.

Otterbein then had the tying run on first base in the ninth, but couldn't push any further as a swinging strikeout ended the day.

Hoffmann was admirable once again in defeat, going the distance (with 10 strikeouts) and tossing a career-high 136 pitches. He has allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts (25.1 total innings), but the Cardinals have unfortunately only plated two total runs over the same span.

Thompson moves to 2-2 on the hill while Deemer recorded his first save. DeVore and second baseman Tyler Smith both hit 2 for 4 on the visitor side.

Sunday contests from Peaceful Valley are scheduled at 1 and 4 p.m.