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Box Score

COLUMBUS – The Capital University baseball team registered a strong offensive showing in a tune-up for a big weekend Thursday, defeating cross-town rival Ohio Wesleyan 14-7 in a non-conference contest at Clowson Field.

The Crusaders (18-14 overall) pounded out 20 hits to post their fourth straight win heading into a crucial road doubleheader at Otterbein this Saturday.

Junior centerfielder Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.) and senior shortstop Jacob Thuman (Westerville, Ohio) led the Capital offensive barrage. Campbell was a perfect 5-for-5 with four runs scored, while Thuman finished 3-for-6 with a run and a team-best four runs batted in.

Junior third baseman Ryan Pearson (Springfield, Ohio) added three hits, two runs and two RBIs, while junior left fielder Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio), sophomore designated hitter Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) and freshman catcher Kirby Boehm (Worthington, Ohio) each contributed two RBIs.

Freshman left-hander Adam Journic (Akron, Ohio) picked up his first career victory on the mound, tossing 3 2/3 innings in relief. Freshman righty Tyler Griego (Hillsboro, Ohio) made his first career start and pitched 3 1/3 frames.

The Crusaders tallied seven unanswered runs to start the game, highlighted two-run hits by Boehm and Thuman in the second.

The Battling Bishops (14-14) plated four in the top of the fourth, but Capital responded with four more in the bottom half to regain control of the affair. Branisel and Carnahan knocked consecutive doubles to highlight the inning.

The Crusaders tacked on one in the fifth and two more in the eighth.

Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Westerville. Capital is two games behind Otterbein for the fourth and final spot in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament.