Box Score A 10-run top of the second inning proved to be too much for the Spartans to overcome on Wednesday afternoon, as 12th-ranked Case Western Reserve University fell to the second-ranked College of Wooster 11-6 at Nobby's Ballpark in Cleveland, Ohio.
The loss dropped the Spartans to 25-7 on the year, while Wooster improved to 26-4.
CWRU started the day off strong, as the first three batters reached in the bottom of the first, scoring runs on a wild pitch and RBI single by senior designated hitter Alex Capetillo to take a 2-0 lead. However, Wooster would send 16 batters to the plate in the top of the second inning, scoring 10 runs on seven hits, five walks and an error, to take a 10-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher Tony Smodilla was a bright spot in the game, entering the contest in the third inning, and not allowing a hit to one of the top offenses in the country until the eighth. CWRU's defense turned three double plays behind him during the outing, as he went a career-high five and two thirds innings, allowing just three hits, three walks and one run, while striking out a pair.
The Spartans tried to claw their way back into the game with singles runs in the second inning on an RBI single from sophomore centerfielder Samuel Neal, the third inning, on an RBI groundout by junior catcher Tyler Wypiszenski, and the fourth inning on an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Noah Mehrle. Wypiszenski also drove in a run in the seventh on a base hit, cutting the Wooster lead to 10-6.
That would be as close as CWRU would get though, with Wooster adding a run in the eighth to go back ahead by five runs. Junior Corey Brown relieved Smodilla in the eighth and retired all four batters he faced in the game, but CWRU could not put another run on the board in the contest.
Capetillo finished the game three-for-five with a double, three runs scored and an RBI. Senior outfielder Nate Glasser added a two-for-three day with a walk.
Junior Mark Gross lasted just 1.1 innings on Wednesday, taking the loss to fall to 4-4 on the year. Wyatt Linde earned the win in relief to improve to 2-0.
The Spartans will be on the road this weekend for a doubleheader at 20th-ranked Marietta College on Sunday, April 29th, starting at 12:00 p.m.
