Box Score 1 |
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Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
The Capital University baseball team was unable to find an offensive rhythm Wednesday, falling in consecutive contests at Mount Union in an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at Alliance, Ohio.
The Crusaders (14-14 overall, 4-8 OAC) were knocked off in heartbreaking fashion 2-1 in the opener before a 4-1 setback in the nightcap.
The Purple Raiders (16-11, 7-5) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second of Game 1 before Capital tied it at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. After junior right fielder Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio) reached on a wild pitch on a strikeout, he stole second and was moved over to third base on a groundout by sophomore catcher Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.). The next batter, senior first baseman Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio), plated Branisel with a single to left center field.
Mount Union ended the affair in walk-off fashion with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
Junior pitcher Jeremy Finchum (Galloway, Ohio) took the tough-luck loss, scattering nine hits over six-plus innings of work. The right-hander struck out a pair and dropped to 3-2 on the year.
Five different Crusaders registered singles in the contest.
In the nightcap, Capital outhit the Purple Raiders 6-5 but was unable to push multiple runs across. Natale finished with two hits to lead the offense.
Branisel gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. After doubling to left center with one out, Branisel stole third and scored on an error by the third baseman. Capital recorded three hits in the frame but left two on in scoring position.
Mount Union went on to plate four unanswered runs to complete its sweep.
Junior left-handed pitcher Kevin Brennan (Mason, Ohio) dropped to 0-2 on the season with the loss. Sophomores Robert Fravel (Port Clinton, Ohio) and Derek Colston (Port Clinton, Ohio) came on in relief of Brennan. Colston retired six of seven batters he faced in two scoreless frames.
The Crusaders look to recover this Saturday against Wilmington. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. at Clowson Field.
