Late Offensive Surge, Major First Inning Lead Scots to Sweep Over Spartans

WOOSTER, Ohio – Senior left fielder Grant Mitchell broke up Case Western Reserve University's no-hit bid in the fifth inning, and The College of Wooster beat up the Spartans' pitching from there, taking full control in a 9-1 game-one win. Wooster's offense kept rolling in game two, as the Fighting Scots chased Spartan starter Kyle Gearding from the game in the first inning on the way to a 13-6 win.

Junior third baseman Nick Pett drew a five-pitch walk in the fifth inning for Wooster's (4-2) first baserunner of game one. Two batters later, Mitchell smoked a double down the left field line, which scored Pett and tied the game at one. Mitchell scored the go-ahead run on sophomore center fielder John Panstares' bloop single to right center later in the inning.

Wooster's lead grew to 4-1 in the sixth inning, thanks to sophomore second baseman Andrew McGowan's single through the left side. Prior to the two-run knock, senior shortstop Eli Westrick doubled to left field and sophomore catcher Colin Leslie reached on a fielder's choice. On the fielder's choice, CWRU (4-2) shortstop Franco Alonso tried to go for Westrick at third, and his counterpart had the play beat.

Wooster's bats exploded for five runs in the seventh inning. Panstares started the frame with a triple to center field, and he scored when first-year designated hitter Zack Barienbrock cleared the bases with a three-run double down the right field line. Next, Pett's line drive to deep right carried over the Art Murray fence for a two-run homer.

Senior right-hander Corey Knauf's (1-0) mix of fastballs and electric offspeed offerings kept CWRU at bay. He set down the side in order in the first, third, and fourth innings and faced just one over the minimum through four frames. Later, Knauf worked out of a sixth-inning jam by striking out CWRU's third and fourth hitters after a Spartan reached third. One of those Knauf struck out was Wooster alumnus Dane Camphausen, playing at CWRU as a graduate transfer. Knauf's final line was one run on five hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts.

Junior Alex Gerdenich went the rest of the way with two innings of scoreless relief.

Reece Marley (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in five innings. James Powers had the lone big hit for the Spartans, with that coming in the form of a leadoff homer in the fifth inning.

The hits kept coming and coming in the nightcap, as Wooster sent 13 Scots to the plate in the first inning and had eight runs and nine hits on the board when the side was finally retired. Westrick's double started things, and the senior shortstop doubled again when he came back up to the plate. Multi-run hits came off the bats of Mitchell and senior right fielder Bryn Langley.

CWRU relief pitcher Zach Barnes quieted Wooster's strong start, but that changed come the fifth inning. Kramer lasered his third homer of the year beyond Art Murray's left field fence to make it a 9-3 game. After Pett walked, Barienbrock singled through the left side of the infield, and McGowan did likewise to knock in Pett.

Walks haunted CWRU's Shawn Liang in the sixth inning, as the Spartan relief pitcher issued three and all scored as Wooster made it 13-3. A wild pitch plated Panstares, who led off the inning with a walk. Next, Wooster scored on a sacrifice fly that traveled about 45 feet down the first base line, as Westrick took off when home plate was left uncovered following the Camphausen catch. Pett's single up the middle scored the final run of the frame.

Sophomore Devin Anthony (2-0) was sharp early, setting down the first four Spartans he faced. The right-hander stranded two Spartans who reached on hits in the second with a pop up to short and a ground out to second. Panstares' catch just in front of the fence kept CWRU's Jack Anderson from a sure double in the third inning. Anthony allowed three runs on nine hits in six innings.

Gearding (0-1) allowed seven runs on seven hits in two-thirds of an inning. Ryan Castrillon shut down Wooster over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Kramer (4-for-7), Barienbrock (4-for-9), and McGowan (4-for-10) had four hits apiece. Westrick's five runs marked the team-high, while Kramer was right behind at four. Seven Scots logged multiple RBI in the sweep.

CWRU's Logan Andreyko led all players with five hits (5-for-9). Three of the base knocks went for extra bases.

Wooster and CWRU wrap up their three-game weekend set with a 1 p.m. Sunday game at CWRU's Nobby's Ballpark.