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Box Score

The Capital University baseball team was unable to take advantage of several offensive opportunities Tuesday in a 6-3 setback at Denison in a non-conference contest at Granville, Ohio.

The Crusaders (12-10 overall) recovered from an early deficit to tie the game at 2-2 before the Big Red plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take control of the affair. Capital loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth, but after a run-scoring base hit by junior centerfielder Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.), Denison retired three straight Crusaders to hang on.

Capital left 10 runners on base in the contest, but was outhit 9-6 by Denison.

After the Big Red (13-8) tallied twice in the bottom of the third to take a two-run advantage, the Crusaders responded with two of their own in the top of the fourth. Sophomore designated hitter Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) hit the team's second straight double to score junior left fielder Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio), who led off the frame with a two-base hit.

Senior Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio) singled to put runners on first and third, and a walk by senior second baseman Jacob Thuman (Westerville, Ohio) one batter later loaded the bases with one out. Freshman catcher Ryan McSweeney (Seven Hills, Ohio) hit into a fielder's choice to post his first RBI of the campaign.

The Big Red scored two runs on bases-loaded walks, one on a hit by pitch and one on a single in the bottom of the seventh to break the game open.

Junior left-hander Kevin Brennan (Mason, Ohio) took the loss on the mound, dropping to 0-1 for the year. Brennan allowed six runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.

Capital resumes Ohio Athletic Conference play tomorrow against Baldwin Wallace. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. at Clowson Field.