RICHMOND, Ind. - The Capital University baseball team battled back and forth with Earlham on Tuesday evening but ultimately fell in a 10-9 decision in 10 innings at Sadler Stadium. With the loss, the Comets fall to 15-20 on the season. Meanwhile, the Quakers see their record rise to 25-10.
Capital jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. After working the bases loaded, Ty Clifton brought home the first run on a groundout before a pair of unearned runs crossed the plate to give the Comets a 3-0 advantage.
Earlham answered quickly with two runs in the bottom half of the inning and tied the game at 3-3 in the second. The Comets regained the lead in the third when Michael Andryszczyk delivered an RBI single, and they continued to apply pressure with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Clifton highlighted the sixth inning with a solo home run to extend the lead to 6-3.
The Quakers rallied in the seventh inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and Capital miscues to score three runs and even the game at 6-6.
After a scoreless eighth and ninth inning, the Comets broke through in the top of the 10th. With two runners on, Clifton delivered again, blasting his second home run of the game—a three-run shot—to give Capital a 9-6 lead.
Earlham refused to go away in the bottom half. A two-run home run cut the deficit to one before the Quakers loaded the bases and completed the comeback with a walk-off two-run single to secure the 10-9 victory.
Clifton led the offensive effort for Capital, finishing 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs. Hutch Crociata added a strong performance at the plate, recording two hits and reaching base four times, while Kielan LaMarr and M. Andryszczyk each tallied two hits.
On the mound, the Comets used six pitchers in the contest. Dawson Lewis got the start, tossing three innings with four strikeouts. Drew Pfundt worked two innings in relief with four strikeouts, while Kaleb Mullins was charged with the loss.
Capital recorded 13 hits in the contest and drew eight walks but was unable to hold off the late Earlham surge.
UP NEXT
The Comets will look to conclude their season on a high note, taking on Otterbein at Clowson Field on Saturday, May 2. Prior to the double-header beginning at 1:00 PM, Capital will partake in senior day festivities.
