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The Capital University baseball team played a pair of closely-contested games Tuesday, emerging with one win and one loss at Ohio Northern in an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader in Ada, Ohio.
The Crusaders (11-7 overall, 2-2 OAC) won the first game 3-1 before surrendering a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning en route to a 4-3 setback in 10 innings.
In the opener, the Crusaders posted timely hits and received a sterling performance from sophomore pitcher Robert Fravel (Port Clinton, Ohio).
Fravel (3-1) allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight in seven innings of work. He has now earned wins in three of his last four appearances, including a pair of complete-game victories. Fravel registered a complete-game shutout at Ohio Christian on March 23.
Capital took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as sophomore catcher Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) sent a two-out single to left field to score junior outfielder Andy Grillo (McArthur, Ohio).
After the Polar Bears (8-9, 1-3) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, the Crusaders took the lead for good when junior third baseman Ryan Pearson (Springfield, Ohio) hit a sacrifice fly to plate senior designated hitter Dean Langholz (Pittsburgh, Pa.) from third.
Capital added to its lead on a two-out base hit through the left side by senior first baseman Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio).
Natale, Langholz, Grillo and junior second baseman Anthony Calabrese (Hudson, Ohio) posted two hits apiece to lead the Crusaders.
In the second game, Capital held a 3-0 advantage entering the bottom of the ninth, when Ohio Northern rallied for three runs to tie the contest. The Polar Bears tallied the game-winning run with one out in the 10th to send the Crusaders home with a loss.
Junior relief pitcher Sam Sifferlin (Wooster, Ohio) took the tough-luck loss to drop to 1-1 on the season. Junior starter Jeremy Finchum (Galloway, Ohio) tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings, scattering seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out four.
Capital posted five hits in the nightcap compared to 12 for Ohio Northern. Carnahan, Pearson and freshman catcher Kirby Boehm (Worthington, Ohio) each knocked in a run apiece for the Crusaders.
Capital returns to action this Thursday against Wittenberg at Beavers Field in Lancaster, Ohio. First pitch of the single, nine-inning contest is slated for 4 p.m.