Case Western Reserve University junior Reece Marley struck out eight batters in six innings and junior first baseman Zack Carinci and first-year centerfielder Matt Trout combined for seven runs batted in, as the Spartans rolled to a 10-1 win over the University of Chicago in their season-opening game at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana on Friday afternoon.

Marley allowed just one run on three hits and a walk in the outing to earn the win. His eight strikeouts in the game were a career-high for the southpaw.

Trout finished his college debut three-for-five with a triple, four RBI, and two runs scored. Carinci added a two-for-five performance with three runs batted in and a walk, and senior catcher Jack Anderson was three-for-four with a run, a double, and two stolen bases. Sophomore designated hitter Jay Smith and senior shortstop Trey Haley each added two hits in the game, as CWRU finished the game with 13 total hits.

After a scoreless first inning, the Spartans took the lead in the top of the second when Smith scored on a two-out RBI double by Haley. In the fourth, CWRU loaded the bases with no outs and extended their lead to 2-0 when junior third baseman Tim Demetris drew a walk to score Anderson. Two batters later, Trout cleared the bases with a triple, putting the Spartans ahead 5-0, and scored on a two-out RBI single from Carinci to put CWRU in front 6-0.

Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Spartans buffered their advantage with a three-run top of the sixth, including an RBI single from Trout and a two-run single from Carinci. In the seventh, sophomore left fielder Logan Andreyko put the Spartans ahead 10-1 with a run-scoring hit.

Junior Patrick O'Connor pitched the final three innings, holding the Maroons scoreless on two hits, a walk, and a strikeout to earn the first save of his career.

Chicago started Drew Bryan allowed six runs in three and a third innings to suffer the loss in the game.

The Spartans and the Maroons will continue their four-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.