By Evan Debo, Sports Information Student Intern

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Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

COLUMBUS – The Capital University baseball team (16-14, 6-8 OAC) took both games in its double-header against Wilmington College (4-27, 1-13 OAC) Saturday by finals scores of 6-0 in Game 1 and 3-2 in Game 2 at Clowson Field.

Senior RHP Justin Hoying (Ft. Loramie, OH) was the pitcher of record in Game 1 as he struck out nine Quakers over seven shutout innings, pushing his record to 3-3 on the year.

From the get-go, Hoying was in control early as he struck out four of the first five batters he faced.

Offensively, the Crusaders jumped out to a 4-0 lead over Wilmington in the third inning on a two-run double down the left field line by junior CF Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.) and a two-run homer to right off the bat of junior RF Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio).

In the bottom of the fourth, Capital tacked on two more runs as senior 1B Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio) scored on a passed ball and junior 3B Ryan Pearson (Springfield, OH) knocked in a run on a single up the middle.

From there, the Crusaders and Hoying seemingly set the game on cruise control as they kept the shutout.

Capital had six runs on eight hits with an error in Game 1, while Wilmington College had posted five hits for the contest. 

Following up Hoying's impressive pitching performance in the first game was senior RHP Garrett Griffin (Grandview, Ohio), who tossed eight solid innings of six-hit, one-earned run ball and picked up the win to even up his record to 2-2 on the year.

Game 2 was very much a pitcher's duel as both the Crusaders and the Quakers were only separated by a score of 1-0 for much of the game.

Capital's early run came on a fielder's choice that plated junior 2B Brian Wyer (New Albany, Ohio) in the fourth.

In the top of sixth inning, Wilmington was able to take a 2-1 lead after a double and an error plated two runs.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Crusaders came roaring back, scoring two runs to take a 3-2 lead on RBI singles by senior SS Jacob Thuman (Westerville, OH) and Pearson.

Holding a slim one-run lead late in the game, junior closer Sam Sifferlin (Wooster, Ohio) slammed the door in the ninth to finish off the Quakers and pick up the save, his second of the campaign.

The Crusaders finished the game with six hits and one error, while the Quakers seven hits and two miscues.

Capital returns to action Tuesday when it travels to Thomas Moore (Ky.) to take on the Saints for a 4 p.m. start.