CLEVELAND, Ohio – Otterbein just nearly missed a perfect 3-0 day at the Case Western Reserve Duals up at the Veale Center across Saturday action, claiming their first two showdowns before a one-point loss to the host Spartans in the finale.

The Cardinals took down Mount St. Joseph and Washington and Jefferson to begin the event, and then rested with a 20-19 defeat to CWRU in the afternoon's final act. Otterbein is now 4-5 overall in head-to-head duals this winter.

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH RECAP (W 31-14):

Otterbein launched the day with a comfortable final outcome despite falling behind 10-0, by virtue of a forfeit and major decision for the Lions.

The Cards kicked into gear from that point behind a decision from Andrew Sas and trio of bonus-point wins from Carter Mottley (149 lbs), Bo Branson (157) and Cale Callahan (165). Mottley came up with a third-period pin, Branson registered a tech fall late, and Callahan secured his TF with 22 seconds left in the opening frame.

Logan Cormell then added a workmanlike 7-0 decision, followed by a dominant pin from Gary Steele in under 90 seconds. Billy Reed-Body (heavyweight) culminated the varsity slate with a tight 2-0 decision and Owen Crabtree picked up an exhibition victory.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON RECAP (W 27-25):

This lunch-time showdown against the General was a bit tighter and came down to the last bout. Prior to that, Otterbein was forced to work itself out of a 22-6 hole despite a nice pin from Tamas Eder (133 lbs) in just 46 seconds.

The middle of the Cardinal lineup seized all momentum back once again. Callahan and Cormell both tallied pins before Gary Steele edged out a 7-3 decision in his 184-pound contest.

Otterbein then trailed 25-21 with heavyweight remaining, and Reed-Body answered the call with a pin just 14 seconds into the second period. That effort lunged his team on top as the varsity dust settled.
Crabtree, Mottley, Cade Holmes, Caiden Hooks and Matt Bachie also earned W's in extra bouts.

CASE WESTERN RECAP (L 20-19):

The Spartans jumped out to a 16-0 lead after Otterbein forfeited the initial 125-pound contest once more.

That stretch didn't stop the Cards from attempting to climb out once more, and they nearly did. Branson secured a pin midway through his opening period and Callahan registered a gritty decision himself. CWRU then won the next bout to regain a 20-10 lead.

Otterbein almost flew back to win the bout after taking the last three matchups. Kyle De Moss won 10-4 and just narrowly missed a major decision, while Brandon Thomas eeked out a 9-8 victory himself at 197 lbs. Reed-Bodey took the mat needed a tech fall to draw even or pin to win the entire thing, but was forced to settle with an 11-0 major.

Trace Williams and Josh Taylor both snagged victories of their own in extra matches.
 
UP NEXT:

The Cardinals will get back home for their second/last OAC dual of the season as nationally-ranked (and defending league champ) Baldwin Wallace comes to town. Opening bout is set for 7 p.m.