WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Otterbein baseball team launched its 2022 season with a split in the Crossroads Crossover Series this weekend, besting Anderson on Saturday before dropping a contest to Wabash in Sunday's finale at Grand Park.

The Cardinals will now turn their attention to spring break, where they will head down to Florida and compete in the Gene Cusic College Classic around Fort Myers.

ANDERSON RECAP (W 8-3):
Otterbein scored all eight runs in the first two innings, beginning when seniors Gino Pierro and Brayden Carter delivered RBI rips to the outfield in the second.

The Ravens got one back in the top of the third before Otterbein created separation in the bottom portion of the frame. Jamie Perebzak (double), Ryan Mitchell and Sam Edgell all had RBI smacks, sandwiched around Zak Repar stealing third and then coming around to score on a throwing error by the catcher.

That offensive production was more than enough for veteran pitchers Travis Engard and Logan Weber, who combined for 14 strikeouts. Engard went six as the starter before Weber tossed the final three for a save. He faced one over the minimum, fanning six batters while not allowing a hit in the process.

Five Cardinals tallied multi-hit games, led by a 3 for 4 effort from Carter in the leadoff spot.

WABASH RECAP (L 15-5):
Things would play out a bit differently in Sunday's finale, as the Little Giants got to Cardinal starter Jackson Wilson early in plating four runs during their first at-bat.

Otterbein stayed the course and remained close for a good bit, getting two back in the third (including an RBI-triple from Ryan Mitchell) and then another in the fifth on a single to left field via Luke Barber.

Carter smoked a 2-RBI double in the sixth, and the Cardinals only trailed 7-5 heading into the bottom of that frame. Unfortunately, Wabash responded with five runs in the at-bat to pull away.

The Little Giants, tallying 19 hits collectively in the game, improved to 2-0 after beating Heidelberg on day one. They hit .480 with runners in scoring position.
Repar went 3 for 4 from the six-hole in the Otterbein lineup.

UP NEXT:
A total of 12 games (nine varsity, three JV) are on the Florida slate, beginning on March 5 inside Terry Park.