The Muskingum baseball team dropped a pair of Ohio Athletic Conference matchups against Otterbein on Saturday. The Muskies slipped 9-4 in game one, and narrowly dropped game two 6-5.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (13-18 Overall, 2-12 OAC), Otterbein (21-10, 10-4 OAC)
• Location: Mose Morehead Field – New Concord, Ohio
• Attendance: 167

Baseball Family

• Gavin Thompson, son of Muskingum Head Coach Gregg Thompson, took the field for the Otterbein Cardinals in Saturday's OAC doubleheader. Today's meeting marked the first time the Thompsons have squared off against each other since the 2020 campaign.

Game 1

How it Happened

• After Otterbein scored five runs in the opening five innings, the Muskies found the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth off a solo home run from junior Devin Ryan. Ryan's solo blast was his sixth long ball of the season.
• Otterbein scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning, but the Muskies immediately answered with a two-RBI double from sophomore Ryan Schwartz. Schwartz's double scored junior Dominic Gorence and freshman Austin Lippolis to trim the Cardinal lead to 7-3.
• After Otterbein scored one run in both the eighth and ninth innings, the Muskies found the scoreboard again in the bottom of the ninth off an RBI single from Ryan.
• With a runner on second base and only one out, the Muskies were unable to continue the rally in the ninth inning, as Otterbein held on for the 9-4 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies were led by junior Devin Ryan who finished 3-for-5 with two RBI's, and a run scored off his solo home run in the fifth inning.
• Senior Chayce Lundell finished the contest 2-for-3 from the plate with a walk, while freshman Austin Lippolis went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.
• Junior Dominic Gorence finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk, while sophomore Ryan Schwartz went 1-for-1 with a two-RBI double.
• Jake Norris got the start on the mound for the Muskies in game one. Norris pitched seven innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out two Cardinal batters.
• Sophomore Clark Jennings, sophomore Cade Burton, and sophomore Liam Carey all pitched in relief for the Muskies.

Game 2

How it Happened

• After neither team found the scoreboard in the first two innings of play, the Muskies plated a run in the bottom of the third inning off an RBI single from sophomore Ryan Schwartz.
• Muskingum scored again in the fourth inning off an RBI ground out by junior Devin Ryan to extend the Muskie lead to 2-0.
• After Otterbein scored two runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game, Muskingum recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth off an RBI ground out from Schwartz.
• In the top of the seventh inning, freshman Austin Lippolis made a miraculous diving catch near the center field wall with two outs to preserve the Muskie lead.
• Riding off the momentum from Lippolis' diving heroics, the Muskies plated another run in the bottom of the seventh off a sacrifice fly from senior Chayce Lundell.
• After Otterbein scored two runs in the eighth to tie the game at four apiece, the Muskies capture the lead again off a sacrifice fielder's choice from sophomore Nate Keiser.
• Despite Muskingum holding a 5-4 lead late, Otterbein managed to recapture a 6-5 lead in the ninth inning.
• Muskingum threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning with runners on first and second base, but were unable to plate a run to extend the contest. 

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies were led by senior Trey Yoder who finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
• Junior Allex Santacroce finished 3-for-4 with a run scored, while freshman Austin Lippolis batted 2-for-5 with two runs scored.
• Senior Chayce Lundell went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while sophomore Ryan Schwartz finished 1-for-5 with an RBI.
• Sophomore Peyton Carr finished 1-for-1 pinch hitting for the Muskies, while junior Devin Ryan and sophomore Nate Keiser both tallied an RBI.
• Sophomore Jaxon Rinkes started on the mound for Muskingum in game two. Rinkes pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out six Otterbein batters.
• Sophomore Liam Carey and senior Drew Eaches both made appearances for the Muskies out of the bullpen.

Up Next

• The Muskies will be back in action on Sunday, April 24, when they host Hiram for a non-conference doubleheader. Game one is set for 1:00 p.m. at Mose Morehead Field.