The Observer, April 22, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 26
Spartans can't keep up with Oberlin at the Jake
After being able to dodge a few rain-drops, the Case athletic department made a strong showing this Wednesday at Jacobs Field as the baseball team hosted the Oberlin Yeomen. A small but supportive crowd was treated to a free lunch, and Case alum Nobby Lewandowski, who made a generous gift in return for the naming rights of the Spartans' new baseball field, threw the ceremonial first pitch. The only disappointment on the day was the outcome of the game–a 7-3 loss for Case.
Oberlin jumped out to an early lead with a run in the first when Oberlin cleanup hitter Joe Sheehan hit an RBI double just out of the reach of Case leftfielder Josh Knipp. Oberlin added two runs in the second to increase the lead to 3-0.
The Spartans rallied to tie the game in the fourth inning. Centerfielder Max Briggs led off the inning with a walk, and Joe McCrackin and Scott Greer followed him with a single and walk, respectively. Tim Koenig then hit a sacrifice fly to score Briggs and get Case on the scoreboard. Later in the inning, John Theurmer hit a ground ball that looked to have ended the inning, but the second baseman booted it, allowing McCrackin and Greer to score and tie the game, 3-3.
Those were the last runs Case scored, however, as Oberlin's Ryan Drews settled down and had a stellar performance, allowing only one earned run and five hits in eight innings. The Yeoman added a run in the sixth and three more in the eighth to finish the scoring. Case starting pitcher J.R. Doolos, despite throwing eight solid innings, took the loss.
Earlier in the week, the Spartans dropped four games on the road. On Wednesday, they battled Westminster in a doubleheader. In game one, the Spartans fell 6-2 thanks to eight errors. Doolos started on the mound for the Spartans and gave up three earned runs on three hits and two walks in three innings of work. The second game wasn't nearly as close as the Spartans lost 16-2. Westminster had 19 hits and took advantage of three Spartan errors en route to the victory.
On Saturday, the Spartans traveled to Kenyon to battle the Lords. In game one, John Thuermer took the mound for the Spartans. The Spartans fell, 4-1, as Kenyon scattered 10 hits and scored four runs (three earned).
Kenyon opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as they were able to use two hits to produce one run. The Lords added two more runs in the bottom of the third with two singles, a triple and a sacrifice fly as the Spartans trailed 4-0. The Spartans' only run of the game came in the top of the seventh inning. Joe McCrackin started the inning with a single. Junior Chris Sisson doubled as McCrackin advanced to third. McCrackin scored on John Maruri's single. However, the inning ended after a strikeout and flyout as Case fell 4-1.
In game two, Doolos was again on the mound, but the Spartans fell 10-5. Case started the game by getting on the scoreboard in the opening inning. Josh Knipp started the game with a single, and Hampton followed with a walk. After Max Briggs also took a base on balls to load the bases, Knipp scored on a double play. In the bottom of the second inning, Kenyon scored two runs on two hits and two errors to take the lead. Kenyon added another run in the third to make it 4-1.
Case responded in the top of the fourth as Scott Greer hit a homer to make the score 4-2. However, Kenyon scored three runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to put away the game.
Next on the schedule for the baseball team is a double-header tomorrow against Wabash College. Both games will be played at John Carroll University. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Sports Editor Rick Balazs contributed to this report.
