The Case Western Reserve University Spartans had an eventful week of baseball, wrapping up their non-conference schedule against Division I Kent State University before kicking off UAA conference play with two doubleheaders against Washington University in St. Louis.

On Tuesday, March 25, the Spartans faced their toughest non-conference challenge of the season against the Golden Flashes. CWRU battled Kent State through the first six and a half innings, taking the lead in the top of the sixth. They held the advantage until the bottom of the seventh, when a two-run home run put Kent State ahead, followed by an additional run in the frame to make it 9-7. The Golden Flashes extended their lead with 5 more runs in the eighth, and the Spartans were retired in the ninth, sealing the game 7-14. 

Tuesday’s game marked the first meeting between the Spartans and the Golden Eagles since CWRU’s federation in 1970. Prior to that, the Case Institute of Technology defeated Kent State 2-0 during the 1968 season. Despite the outcome, the matchup against DI competition offers valuable experience for the Spartans as they enter UAA play, helping them prepare for the challenges ahead this season.

Over the weekend, the Spartans opened conference play with a four-game series against WashU. CWRU struck early with a two-run homer from fourth-year outfielder Nick Harms, but WashU responded, taking a 4-2 lead by the third inning.

The Spartans surged ahead in the fifth, highlighted by RBI doubles from fourth-year centerfielder Logan Andreyko and first-year left fielder Mason Nemec, a two-run double from graduate student catcher Jack Anderson and Harms’ second two-run homer, making it 10-4. They added three more runs in the ninth, sealing a 13-7 victory despite a late push from WashU.

In the second game of the day, the Spartans broke a scoreless tie in the third when Harms walked and scored on a double by second-year pitcher Tyler Stillson. CWRU extended their lead in the fourth as Anderson, Stillson and graduate student second baseman Franco Alonso each drove in runs, making it 6-0.

However, WashU responded with a seven-run bottom of the fourth to take the lead. The Spartans quickly answered, with their first six batters reaching in the fifth. Andreyko added a two-out single in the seventh, but WashU responded with a run of their own. The game was called after seven innings due to darkness, securing a 12-9 win for CWRU.

On Saturday, the Spartans took an early lead, scoring twice in the second as Alonso crossed on an error and Andreyko singled in graduate student designated hitter Dane Camphausen. WashU answered with 2 runs in both the third and fourth innings, cutting the lead to 1.

Alonso’s sacrifice fly in the fifth scored Harms, but a solo homer by WashU kept it close at 6-5. In the eighth, CWRU loaded the bases with no outs, and graduate student third baseman Zack Carinci’s RBI single and sophomore shortstop Nate Arterburn’s fielder’s choice extended the lead. The Bears couldn’t rally, and the Spartans secured an 11-9 win.

To close out the weekend, the Spartans struggled in the second game, taking their first UAA loss of the season, 1-14. WashU jumped ahead 4-0 after two innings before Nemec put CWRU on the board with an RBI groundout in the third. The Bears quickly responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning and added 6 more in the fifth, enforcing the 10-run rule to end the game after seven frames.

With this weekend’s results, the Spartans have now won seven consecutive UAA series dating back to the 2023 season. CWRU has also improved to 4-1 against nationally-ranked teams this year, including an 8-3 victory over No. 16-ranked Baldwin Wallace on March 9.

Next, the Spartans will host the Emory University Eagles in their second UAA series of the 2025 season at Nobby’s Ballpark, with the first game slated to begin on Friday, April 4, at noon.