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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Capital University baseball team bunted, stole and sacrificed its way to a lead, then got a big hit from junior Ryan Pearson in a 5-4 triumph over Lyndon (Vt.) State on Wednesday in a non-conference contest at Chain of Lakes Park.

Pearson (above), a third baseman from Springfield, Ohio, socked a double to left-center field in the bottom of the ninth to score senior pinch hitter Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio) from second base. Natale singled down the left field line then advanced to second on a balk charged to the Hornets (0-3).

After the Crusaders (2-3) took a 4-2 lead thanks in large part to its two sacrifice bunts, four stolen bases and sacrifice fly, Lyndon State tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh inning with help from a pair of Capital errors. Junior left fielder Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio) was cut down trying to score on a bunt by junior second baseman Anthony Calabrese (Hudson, Ohio) in the bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for Pearson's ninth-inning heroics.

Junior left-handed pitcher Jared Lee (North Bend, Ohio) picked up his first win of the year in relief. Lee tossed three innings of hitless ball and struck out two. Junior lefty Anthony Klamic (Wooster, Ohio) started the affair and pitched six strong innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven.

The Crusaders tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. After junior centerfielder Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.) reached on a walk, he stole second, then was moved over to third on a groundout by senior right fielder Patrick Jackson (Grove City, Ohio). Branisel brought Campbell home with a sacrifice fly to right.

In the bottom of the second, Capital tied the score again on a bunt base hit by junior shortstop Brian Wyer (New Albany, Ohio). Two innings later, the Crusaders took the lead for good with a pair of runs. Calabrese scored Jackson on a sacrifice bunt, which moved sophomore first baseman Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) to second. Carnahan was plated on a sharp single to left by senior DH Dean Langholz (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

The Crusaders continue play in Florida tomorrow against Alma (Mich.). First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Chain of Lakes Park Field #1. Capital's JV team will play against Augustana (Ill.) at 2:30 p.m. at Chain of Lakes Park Field #2.