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LANCASTER, Ohio – The Capital University baseball team scored six runs in the first inning and didn't look back Tuesday, defeating OU-Lancaster 13-5 in a non-conference affair at Beavers Field.
With the win, the Crusaders (20-14) clinched the program's first 20-win season since 1996, when the team won 21 games.
Junior infielder Brian Wyer (New Albany, Ohio) led Capital with three hits, a run scored and two runs batted in. Junior centerfielder Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.) added two hits, two runs, two RBIs and three stolen bases, while sophomore left fielder Christian Ross (Bucyrus, Ohio) knocked in a pair of runs. The team totaled 17 hits in the win.
Junior Jeremy Finchum (Galloway, Ohio) moved to 4-2 on the season with the victory, tossing two innings in relief. The Crusaders sent out five different pitchers and allowed eight hits for the contest.
Capital tallied six times in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of three walks and three hit-by-pitches. Senior designated hitter Dean Langholz (Pittsburgh, Pa.) singled in a run to start the rally, and Campbell capped it with a sacrifice fly to center.
After the Bobcats scored twice in the bottom of the third, the Crusaders responded in the top of the fifth, plating one on a sacrifice fly by Ross and another on a balk.
Capital added two more in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Campbell and junior outfielder Andy Grillo (McArthur, Ohio).
After OU-Lancaster cut the deficit to 10-5, Langholz singled up the middle to knock in a pair in the top of the ninth. Sophomore Taylor Patterson (West Milton, Ohio) added a two-out, pinch-hit single to knock in Langholz, who stole second following his base hit.
The Crusaders return to play Thursday for a non-conference game at Ohio Wesleyan. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. in Delaware, Ohio.
