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Box Score

The Capital University baseball team knocked 11 hits but left 10 men on base Thursday in a 5-4 setback at Ohio Wesleyan in a non-conference game at Delaware, Ohio.

The Crusaders (20-16 overall) jumped out to a 3-1 advantage through three innings but were unable to hold on. Freshman pitcher Tyler Griego (Hillsboro, Ohio) was tagged with the loss, his first of the season.

Senior first baseman Brandon Natale (Westerville, Ohio), junior centerfielder Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.), junior third baseman Ryan Pearson (Springfield, Ohio) and junior second baseman Anthony Calabrese (Hudson, Ohio) all registered two hits apiece to lead Capital. Campbell posted his conference-leading 23rd stolen base of the season.

After the Bishops (18-16) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, the Crusaders responded with three two-out runs in the top of the third. Natale singled up the middle to score Campbell, and two batters later, Pearson knocked home a pair with a base hit to left field.

Ohio Wesleyan tied the game in the bottom of the sixth but held the lead temporarily as Capital tallied in the top of the seventh. Sophomore pinch hitter Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) doubled down the left field line to plate senior left fielder Patrick Jackson (Grove City, Ohio) to give the Crusaders the lead temporarily until the Bishops took the advantage for good in the bottom of the frame.

Four pitchers made appearances on the mound for Capital, including sophomore Derek Colston (Port Clinton, Ohio) and junior left-hander Jared Lee (North Bend, Ohio), who each tossed three innings. Freshman lefty Adam Journic (Akron, Ohio) recorded a 1-2-3 eighth inning in relief.

The Crusaders close the regular season this Saturday with a critical Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader against Heidelberg at 1 p.m. at Clowson Field. Capital needs to sweep the Student Princes and get help from other teams to secure a spot in the OAC Tournament, which begins next week.

Following the conclusion of Game 2, Jackson, Natale and fellow seniors Garrett Griffin (Grandview, Ohio), Jacob Thuman (Westerville, Ohio) and Dean Langholz (Pittsburgh, Pa.) will be recognized for their achievements over the past four years.