The Case Western Reserve University baseball team was swept by Denison University in a doubleheader in Granville, Ohio on Saturday afternoon, as the two teams began the front half of a home-and-home series this weekend. CWRU fell 9-0 in the opening game of the doubleheader, followed by a 6-5 setback in the second game.

The two losses dropped the Spartans to 2-2 on the year, while Denison opened its campaign with a 2-0 record. The games were the first two of eight scheduled contests between the two teams this season.

Game 1: Denison 9, CWRU 0
CWRU's bats struggled to get going in the opening game of the day, as Denison opened its season with a 9-0 victory.

The Spartans were held to just three hits in the game – doubles for both sophomore first baseman Jonathan Simon and sophomore right fielder Flynn Lenahan, and a single for first-year third baseman Zack Carinci.

CWRU junior left-handed pitcher Nick Denove (1-1) suffered a rare loss in the contest, just the third of his career, allowing six runs on 12 hits over five innings of work. First-year right-handed pitcher Michael Shinohara made his collegiate debut in the game, allowing three runs on four hits over the final three innings.

Denison senior Taylor Perrett earned the win, allowing three hits over seven shutout innings and striking out six batters.

Game 2: Denison 6, CWRU 5
CWRU was able to overcome a late three-run deficit, tying the game in the ninth inning, but ultimately suffered a walk-off 6-5 loss at the hands of the Big Red in the second game of the doubleheader.

The Spartans struck first in game two, scoring a run after three-straight two-out hits, including an RBI single for Lenahan that plated Carinci. Lenahan extended his hitting streak to nine-straight games dating back to last season. CWRU added a run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from junior centerfielder Cole Jarrett that allowed first-year catcher Connor Stephenson to cross the plate, putting the team ahead 2-0.

The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the fourth, as CWRU starter Matt Levine held the Big Red scoreless through the first three innings. However, Denison broke through in the fourth, scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead. Levine left the game after the fourth, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out a pair of batters.

Denison added to their lead in the seventh, scoring a pair of unearned runs on an error to go ahead 5-2.

In the eighth, a double by CWRU sophomore second baseman Nick Talarico scored Carinci, cutting the Big Red lead to two. CWRU first-year left fiddler Matthew DuBois opened the ninth inning with a walk, senior shortstop Jacob Lott followed with a single, and Jarrett walked to load the bases with no outs. Simon plated the first run of the inning with a groundout, moving the potential tying run to third base. Carinci followed with a game-tying sacrifice fly, scoring Lott and evening the score at 5-5.

However, CWRU could not score the go-ahead run, and Denison loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Denison's Danny Alvarez hit a chopper to short, and Lott could not throw home in time, allowing the game-winning run to score.

The Spartans finished the game with six hits, including a two-for-four game with a double for Talarico. Senior pitcher Tony Smodilla took the loss in relief to fall to 1-1 on the season, despite allowing just one earned run and striking out four batter in four and a third innings of work.

Denison's Jack Arnstein picked up the win in relief.

The Spartans will have an opportunity to bounce back quickly against the Big Red, as the two teams will face off in another doubleheader at Nobby's Ballpark in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday. First pitch of the first game is slated for 12:00 p.m.