ADA, Ohio – What seemed primed for a doubleheader sweep on the road unfortunately turned into just a split late Tuesday afternoon at Ohio Northern, as the Polar Bears forced the Cardinals into settling for a lone victory.

The Cardinals, looking to make a final push for the last spot in the upcoming six-team Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament, beat Ohio Northern in extras to launch the day. However, ONU came from behind to steal the rematch with a big seventh inning.

GAME ONE: (W 5-3, 11 inn.)
Otterbein took a 2-0 lead in the third inning as Luke Barber drove in a pair of runs, but the hosts got one back in the bottom half and then took a 3-2 lead shortly after the seventh-inning stretch.

The Cards, down to their final at-bat in the ninth, advanced runners to second and third with just one out after Zach Franz put down a sac-bunt. Down to their last chance moments later, Brayden Carter delivered a two-out single that tied the game at 3-3. Pinch runner Andrew Brownley was thrown out at the plate attempting to score the go-ahead run.

That deadlocked remained the same until the 11th when Otterbein broke through. Dmitri Collaros singled, and then came all the way around to score on a roped triple down the right-field line from Killian Brewer. Stotler followed with a sinking liner that fell in front of the centerfielder, resulting in a double and allowing Franz to cross.

Senior Nick Meyer (2-2) shut things down in the bottom portion, beginning with two strikeouts before a lineout ended the game. He allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings of relief.

Starting pitcher Travis Engard was solid despite taking the no-decision, surrending just one run over six quality frames. Collaros was 3 for 4 offensively from the six hole.

GAME TWO: (L 12-10)
Both teams traded blows throughout the opening stages. Otterbein held a 3-0 lead in the second inning, only to see the Polar Bears post five in the bottom half to draw even.

The Cardinals found a nice groove in the middle innigs to create some breathing room, starting in the fifth as another Stotler hit brought around two teammates. Barber followed with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, and a wild pitch gave Otterbein a 10-5 lead moments later.

Otterbein stood on top, 10-6, midway through the seventh before things unfortunately went array. ONU strung together a one-out rally, as five-straight hitters reached base and the score quickly became knotted at 10-10. A subsequent two-out hit then thrusted Ohio Northern on top, 12-10.

The Cards weren't done yet, creating a prime opportunity in the eighth as Franz and Collaros both reached base with just one out. Pinch hitter Noah Sprowls smoked a liner up the middle but, in a sequence that became tough to swallow, the ball was caught by ONU second baseman Michael Rocco and he quickly stepped on the bag to convert a double play.

Carter had a bunt single in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but a pair of outs would keep the Cardials from pushing any further. Otterbein has now lost 10 games this season by two runs or less.

Starter Jackson Wilson allowed one earned run over his initial action before having to exit prematurely, after trying to barehand a comebacker up the gut. Senior Cody Goletz was solid over 3.2 middle innings in his relief.

Collaros went 3 for 3 with a walk, reaching base seven times on the day, while Franz, Stotler and Carter all tallied multiple hits. Franz was 4 for 5 hitting from the left side.

UP NEXT:
Otterbein culminates the regular season with a four-game set against John Carroll. The Cards are scheduled to travel up to University Heights on Saturday and then host JCU in another pair come Sunday at Fishbaugh Field.