WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein battled through nine innings at Fishbaugh Field on Wednesday afternoon but couldn't overcome an early Manchester surge, falling 10-0 despite several strong defensive moments and quality at‑bats from the Cardinals' lineup.

Manchester opened the game with three runs in the first, capitalizing on a pair of miscues and a pair of well‑placed hits, including a run scoring single and an RBI double. Otterbein settled in from there, turning three double plays on the afternoon and getting steady middle inning relief to keep the game within reach.

Offensively, the Cardinals generated traffic throughout the day. Jack Barber continued his consistent production, reaching base all four times on two drawn walks and two singles when he stepped in the box. Calvin Mabry added a sharp single up the middle, while Gavin Scott delivered Otterbein's lone extra base hit with a seventh‑inning double to left.

Otterbein's best scoring opportunity came in the third, when back‑to‑back singles from Braylon Boggs and Mabry set the table. Barber followed with another base hit, but the inning shifted when a successful pickoff for the Spartans halted the Cardinal momentum.

On the mound, Darren Ramsey worked four innings in his first decision of the season, while Sam Sethna provided three efficient frames of relief, allowing just one hit and no earned runs. Andrew Nemec and Josh Hoffman closed the final two innings as Manchester added late insurance. Five of the 10 Manchester runs were unearned.

Despite the final score, Otterbein's defensive execution which included multiple double plays and several clean innings, offered bright spots as the Cardinals continue to build rhythm heading into conference play.

Otterbein hits the road to Alliance, Ohio, as the Cardinals head into their second Ohio Athletics Conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. followed by the 4 p.m. nightcap against No. 15 Mount Union.