Behind seven strong innings from sophomore starting pitcher Reece Marley, the Case Western Reserve University baseball team shut out Brandeis University 3-0 in the opener of a four-game University Athletic Association series at Nobby's Ballpark in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday afternoon.

With the win the Spartans improve to 10-10 on the season and 4-1 in conference play. The Judges fall to 9-3 and 0-1 in the UAA.

Marley (3-2) struck out five batters and allowed just two hits in his seven innings while lowering his earned run average to 2.67. He scattered four walks and was the beneficiary of three Spartan double plays. Sophomore pitcher Tyler Horvath finished the game with two perfect innings, striking out three Brandeis batters. The CWRU bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 17 innings.

The fast-paced game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when CWRU broke the deadlock. Junior catcher Jack Anderson doubled with one out and advanced to third on a balk. First-year catcher Jay Smith sent a hard-hit ground ball to the first baseman who could not handle it, allowing Anderson to score on the error. Smith eventually scored on a groundout from first-year outfielder Nick Harms to put the Spartans ahead 2-0.

The Judges threatened in the next inning, getting a runner to third base with two outs. Following a walk, Marley struck out his final batter of the afternoon to escape the threat.

Case Western Reserve added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a pinch-hit single from graduate student Tre Armstrong.

Mason Newman (2-2) took the loss for Brandeis, allowing two earned runs with six strikeouts in a complete game effort.

Anderson, Harms, and graduate student shortstop Jacob Lott each doubled in the contest with the CWRU offense tallying six hits.

The Spartans and Judges will continue their series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.