Shane Gallagher

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster scored four runs in the first inning and three in the third, and rolled past Muskingum University by a 14-1 final as the Fighting Scots used nine different pitchers during their home opener Thursday afternoon at a sunny, but cool Art Murray Field.

Wooster (11-6) took advantage of some wildness by the starting pitcher for Muskingum (2-16) during the bottom of the first. After Jarrod Mancine sent a leadoff double into the left field corner, the next two batters, John McLain and Eddie Reese, walked while watching eight consecutive balls. One out later, Frank Vance also drew a walk to tally the initial run, and Cal Thomay and Shane Gallagher added RBI base knocks for the 4-0 lead, with Thomay's plating two on an error by the left fielder.

Brendan Taylor, making his first career start, began the home half of the third with a drive to left-center that reached the base of the wall and Vance followed with a run-scoring double. After Thomay walked, Gallagher moved them up a base on a well-executed sacrifice bunt, and Vance and Thomay eventually both scored, the former on a groundout and the latter via a wild pitch.

The 7-0 lead through three innings was enough offense for the Scots' pitching staff, which combined to hold the Muskies to five hits. As the most effective of the nine hurlers, freshman Hank Schlueter was credited with the win (1-0), the first of his career. He worked a 1-2-3 third inning.

The remaining offensive highlight after three innings came courtesy of McLain, who smashed a three-run homer well beyond the left-field fence during a five-run eighth inning. It marked the sophomore's first career round-tripper.

Gallagher had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double plus the sacrifice and RBI, while Jake Zeek (2-for-4 with two RBI) was the other Wooster player with multiple hits.

The Scots will be at home again on Saturday for a doubleheader against Wabash College (8-10), starting at noon.