Baseball splits doubleheader with Otterbein

The Muskingum baseball team defeated Otterbein in game one, 9-5. In game two, the Muskies fell to the Cardinals, 10-8.

• Records: Muskingum (6-13 overall, 1-3 OAC), Otterbein (10-9 overall, 3-1 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - Mose Morehead Field

The Muskies jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when senior Marc Ibarra blasted a single to center field, bringing in two runs. In their next at-bat, the Muskies extended their lead to 3-0 after senior Ben Van Wey scored on a fielding error.

Otterbein rallied in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on three hits and leaving on runner on base. The Cardinals gained the lead in the top of the fifth when Tim Snyder singled to center field, driving in two runs to make it 5-3.

Muskingum took control in the bottom of the seventh when freshman Trey Yoder hit an RBI single to right field. Then, freshman Chayce Lundell doubled to left field, bringing in two runners. Following this, senior Ben Van Wey singled to left field and allowed Lundell to score from second base. The Muskies went on to add two runs in the bottom of the eighth en route to their first OAC victory.

Junior Josh Bigrigg secured the win for Muskingum on the mound. Bigrigg pitched 4.0 innings and allowed no runs on one hit while striking out one batter. Pitcher Killian Brewer took the loss for Otterbein. Brewer pitched 1.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits. 

Freshman Brett Carson led the Muskies with two runs on three hits and a double. Snyder guided the Cardinals with one run on two hits and two RBIs. 

 Otterbein took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning after Sam Edgell hit an RBI single.

The Muskies answered in the bottom of the fourth when Lundell came home on a wild pitch, tying the game 1-1.

The Cardinals notched a run in the top of the fifth, but Muskingum quickly responded in the bottom of the fifth. Lundell sent an RBI single through the left side to tie the game 2-2. Then, senior Michael Pagano scored after Van Wey was hit by a pitch. Lundell came home after Pinckert reached first on a fielding error, making it 4-2.

In the top of the sixth, Otterbein came back to take a 7-4 lead after scoring five runs on four hits and leaving one runner on base.

Muskingum retaliated in the bottom of the sixth when Pagano doubled to right field, bringing in sophomore Matt Stewart. Then, senior Marc Ibarra came home on a wild pitch. Lundell wrapped up the inning with a huge home run that granted the Muskies an 8-7 advantage.

The Cardinals came back in the top of the eighth and scored three runs to take a 10-8 lead. Otterbein stayed in front for the rest of the game and escaped New Concord with a close victory.

Freshman Craig Nixon took the loss for Muskingum. Nixon pitched 0.2 innings and allowed three runs on no hits. Collin Hoffmann secured the win for the Cardinals. He allowed one run on three hits in 4.0 innings of work.  

Lundell led the Muskies at the plate with three runs on three hits and three RBIs. Collins guided the Cardinals with two runs on two hits. 

The Muskies next travel to Wooster on Thursday, April 4. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.