WILMINGTON, Ohio - Capital University took the lead in the middle innings of both games and wouldn't surrender it in a sweep of the Wilmington College baseball team in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action from Tewksbury-Delaney Field on Tuesday. The Crusaders won game one 10-6 and took game two 6-4.
In game one, Capital scored in the first on an RBI-single to right center field from Shayne Lyons, but Wilmington would answer in the bottom of the second as Kasey Bottorff singled home Joey Allinder, who tripled to center field to get to that point.
The Quakers would threaten to take the lead as the lead-off man got on base via a walk in both the third and fourth innings. In both instances, that runner would steal (Antonio Miller in the third and Allinder in the fourth), but unfortunately for the hosts, no runs would cross the plate. The Crusaders would take advantage as Lyons hit another RBI-single in the fifth to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Allinder, who scored Wilmington's run in the second, singled home Gage Bley, who connected on a two-out double earlier in the inning, to tie the game. The Quakers looked for more as two runners stood in scoring position with two outs, but a flyout ended the inning.
In a 2-2 game, Cole Callaghan fouled off over half a dozen pitches and singled to left field scoring two runs in the top of the sixth. Wilmington would get one of those runs back on an RBI-single from Joe Legin in the bottom of the sixth, but once again couldn't deliver with runners in scoring position as two strikeouts kept Capital on top 4-3.
Neither team would score in the seventh, but the Crusaders, who got into the Quaker bullpen, plated five runs on five hits to blow the game open. Wilmington, which trailed 9-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, came one hit away from getting the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but a fielder's choice ended the game.
Both starters, Nick Beck for Capital and Lance Fleischman for Wilmington, received no decisions despite Fleischman's quality start of six innings pitched and three earned runs allowed. Bryant Caporale earned the win for the Crusaders allowing one earned run in 1.2 innings pitched while Clay Piatt earned his first save of the season. Jarett Trautman dipped to 1-7 with the loss allowing four runs with two earned while recording four outs.
Wilmington finished with 10 hits as a team including multi-hit games from Legin, Bley and Allinder. The Quakers also stole four bases in game one including two from Allinder.
The top and bottom of Capital's order provided all the offense as the Crusaders' 3-4-5 hitters were held hitless. Drew Ellis, Lyons and Beau Otto all tallied three hits for Capital.
In game two, both offenses were held in check through three innings until the Crusaders struck for two runs in three hits in the fourth and three runs on six singles in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Aaron Burns' RBI-double to right field was Wilmington's only offense through seven innings, but things got interesting in the bottom of the eighth.
Miller doubled with one out, and after a popup, the Quakers put on a two-out rally. Coincidentally, Wilmington wouldn't get another hit in the inning, but two walks that loaded the bases were followed by two more walks and a hit by pitch that plated three runs. Trailing 6-4 with the bases loaded, a strikeout ended the threat.
Wilmington was retired in order in the ninth, giving Tate Virts, who allowed one run on three hits in seven innings, his first win of the season. Anthony Gannon earned his first save of the year as well, striking out three batters to record the four-out save.
Michael Weisenberger took the loss allowing five earned runs on 10 hits in 4.1 innings pitched. Matt Oney was the bright spot pitching for the Quakers, allowing just one earned run in four innings with three strikeouts.
Offensively, four Quakers finished with hits including doubles from both Miller, who also stole two bases, and Burns. Lyons and Bryce Grisez finished 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Crusaders.
Wilmington (6-23, 2-10 OAC) hosts the University of Mount Union on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
