MARIETTA, Ohio – Another challenging day of baseball for Otterbein ended with a narrow doubleheader setback at first place and No. 6-ranked Marietta Tuesday evening, as the host Pioneers emerged to win by scores of 8-3 and 5-4 (extra innings) at Don Schaly Stadium.

GAME ONE:
Otterbein fell behind 4-0 after a pair of two-run homers by Brady Cottom and Alex Page. However, the Cardinals fought back end eventually trailed just 5-3 after the sixth inning…

Adam Stotler tripled to lead off the fifth, and a quick RBI groundout from Brayden Carter put Otterbein on the board. The Cardinals plated another two in the next frame despite the ball never leaving the infield. A fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Gino Pierro, followed by a single to shortstop from Stotler, brought the group back within striking distance.

Unfortunately, Marietta responded with two runs in the seventh and created enough breathing room down the stretch. Collin Hoffmann took the loss on the bump, allowing five runs over six innings (97 total pitches). Travis Burson tossed two quality frames in the latter portion.

Stotler and senior outfielder Matthew Gibson both contributed two-hit games.

GAME TWO:
Otterbein seized a 2-0 lead in the rematch after first-inning RBI via Jamie Perebzak and Ryan Mitchell. The Pioneers countered with three quick runs themselves to play from ahead.

The lead changed hands again in the fourth inning, as senior Killian Brewer launched his first-career home run out to right-center field that brought home Pierro. Marietta then crossed an equalizing run in the fifth and the 4-4 tally remained deadlocked into extra frames.

Otterbein did see a prime opportunity in the sixth, loading the bases with just one out before the next-two batters were retired. The Cards went in order during the seventh, eighth and ninth.

Perebzak smoked a one-out double in the tenth to put the go-ahead run in scoring position but, again, the inning stalled. Marietta won the game in the bottom half, manufacturing a run through a single, stolen base, single sequence that brought around Damian Yenzi.

Nick Meyer threw an impressive five innings of relief despite absorbing the loss, maneuvering the span in just 54 pitches while allowing two hits.

Mitchell, Stotler and Perebzak all hit safely twice while Luke Barber reached base three times overall, singling to center and walking twice.

RIGHT BACK AT IT:
The Cardinals will need to have a short memory as they return home, facing another pair of important games Wednesday afternoon at Fishbaugh Field. Start times are roughly scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m.