The Capital University baseball team opened its 2014 season over the weekend with a one game each at Chain O' Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla., and Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla., defeating Maritime (N.Y.) Sunday by a 16-4 score after falling 2-1 against Brandeis (Mass.) on Saturday.

Against Maritime (0-4) at Lake Myrtle Park, the Crusaders broke open a four-run game in the top of the ninth inning with eight runs, highlighted by two-run hits from freshman Brett Colburn (Liberty Township, Ohio) and junior Christian Ross (Bucyrus, Ohio). Sophomore Ryan Barnette (Fairmont, Ohio) and freshman Logan Bastin (Lexington, Ohio) also registered run-scoring hits in the team's big inning.

Junior pitcher Robert Fravel (Port Clinton, Ohio) picked up the win for Capital (1-1), allowing two earned runs on five hits in five innings pitched. Senior right-hander Sam Sifferlin (Wooster, Ohio) and so phomore righty Jeff Small (Sylvania, Ohio) allowed no earned runs in two innings of relief apiece.

Senior left fielder Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio) finished 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs. Senior third baseman Ryan Pearson (Springfield, Ohio) also knocked in a pair, while seniors Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.), Andy Grillo (McArthur, Ohio) and Brian Wyer (New Albany, Ohio) each tallied a hit and an RBI.

After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Crusaders responded in the top of the third with six runs, taking advantage of four walks and an error in the frame while posting three hits.

The Privateers scored in the bottom of the fourth, and neither team crossed home plate again until the top of the seventh, when Branisel connected for his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center field. Wyer singled to center later in the inning with two outs to plate junior first baseman Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.).

On Saturday against Brandeis (4-1), the game was tied at 1-1 until the top of the eighth inning, when the Judges scored on a throwing error to take the lead for good. Capital put a runner on in each of the final two innings, but was unable to tie or take the lead.

Campbell led the Crusaders' offense with three hits, while Grillo was 2-for-3 with a walk. Carnahan and senior second baseman Anthony Calabrese (Hudson, Ohio) recorded the only other hits for Capital. Calabrese knocked in the team's lone run.

Senior pitcher Justin Hoying (Ft. Loramie, Ohio) went six strong innings and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out four. Senior left-hander Jared Lee (North Bend, Ohio) came on in relief and took the loss. Junior righty Derek Colston (Port Clinton, Ohio) pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Crusaders continue their nine-game trip Monday against Franklin (Ind.). First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Park.