DELAWARE, Ohio – The Capital University baseball team carried a two-run lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, but a five-run rally for the host Ohio Wesleyan University Bishops was enough to drop the Comets by a 10-7 margin on Tuesday night.
Capital banged out 13 hits, drew four walks, were hit twice, and scored seven times, but 12 hits, six walks, three hit batsmen, and three fielding errors proved to be mightily costly on the other end of the game, leading to 10 OWU runs, five of which were unearned.
All things considered, Capital saw the ball well at the plate, being led by three-hit days from
Brendan Stinson and
Connor Feeney. All three of Stinson's hits were two-baggers, leading him to one RBI and two runs scored. Feeney's three hits were all singles and led him to one RBI and one run scored.
Ryne McKinney was the only other Comet with multiple hits, finishing with two.
Abram Sykora,
Ethan Neal,
Brandon Barnette,
Josh Sagredo, and
Logan White each had one hit a piece. White's hit came in the form of a three-run homer in the top of the third inning. The home run was White's third round-tripper of the season.
On the mound, Capital utilized five different pitchers.
Curtis Clark got the starting nod and lasted two innings after conceding four runs.
Justin Mason then entered and ate up three innings of relief in which he allowed just one run.
Garrett Kroese made an appearance, walking two.
Brennon Newell then tossed 2.2 innings that appeared to go well, until two costly fielding errors in the eighth inning led to five unearned runs being scored.
Spencer Knight got the final out via a strikeout. As a staff, Cap struck out six Bishops, three of which came from Newell.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital surrendered four runs in the bottom of the first and struggled through their first trip through the lineup.
Luckily, at the top of the third, Cap got some momentum going. Stinson led off with a double and advanced on a single from Feeney.
Josh Sagredo then delivered an RBI single through the left side. Both Feeney and Sagredo would score on
Logan White's towering home run to left field.
OWU would add a run off a sac fly in the bottom of the third to reclaim a 5-4 lead. The lead wouldn't last long though as
Connor Feeney shot a single up the middle, scoring Stinson, who had again reached on a double.
Capital added a go-ahead run in the top of the sixth on
Brendan Stinson's RBI double to right center. His hit scored
Brandon Barnette who had singled just before.
Another run came for Capital in the top of the seventh as
Ethan Neal singled home
Abram Sykora from second.
Ahead by two, the Capital pitching staff was moving through the OWU lineup, until back-to-back errors in the bottom of the eighth extended the inning for the hosts. Unfortunately for Capital, the extra opportunities for Ohio Wesleyan at the dish proved costly as the Bishops scored five unearned to take a 10-7 lead – enough to secure the win.
UP NEXT
Capital will next be in action on Thursday, April 28th as they host Wittenberg University at Clowson Field for two 7-inning games. The first game will start at 2 p.m. Originally scheduled as a single game, the two teams are also making up their postponed contest that was supposed to be played at Wittenberg back on March 22nd. Capital students looking for a finals study break are encouraged to come on down to Clowson Field and take in the two games while also enjoying food options supplied by a local Columbus food truck.
