Bats Blazing: Mount Union Explodes for 27 Runs in Otterbein Sweep

4/7/2025 | Baseball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Mount Union baseball team (15-6, 8-0 OAC) swept Otterbein University (12-15, 2-6 OAC) in a doubleheader on the road. The Purple Raiders have now won eleven consecutive games.

In game one, starting left-handed pitcher Zachary Breeden (Cincinnati, Ohio / Oak Hills) had another strong outing, where he pitched 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts, allowing only one run, earning his third win of the season. In his last three games, Breeden has pitched 20.1 innings, allowing only 0.80 hits and 0.30 walks per inning, along with an impressive total of 18 strikeouts and just three runs allowed.

Freshman catcher Daniel Thome III (Lakewood, Ohio / St. Edwards) opened the scoring with an RBI single hit through the left side. Thome finished the game with three hits in five at-bats and one RBI. The Purple Raiders continued their offensive onslaught as first baseman Jaired Lehman (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) added a two-RBI double to left center, extending the lead to 5-0.

Mount Union maintained their offensive momentum, as sophomore outfielder Luke Ickes (Green, Ohio / Green) had a standout performance in game one. He contributed a crucial sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and followed it up with an RBI single in the eighth. Although Otterbein managed to score two runs in three innings late in the game, they were ultimately stifled by the Purple Raiders' strong pitching and defense. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ty Dennison (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson) closed out the game with 2.0 innings pitched and recorded three strikeouts. Additionally, junior outfielder Chris Tsouras (Las Vegas, Nev. / Arbor) added an insurance run for the Purple Raiders in the ninth inning, leading to an 8-2 victory.

In game two, starting right-handed pitcher Brady Hansen (Beaver, Pa./Beaver Area) threw for 5.0 innings, recording three strikeouts and securing his fourth win of the season. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Christopher Maurer (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) earned his first save of the season by pitching a clean 4.0 innings. He struck out five batters and allowed one unearned run.

The Purple Raiders' offense exploded in game two, scoring an impressive 19 runs. The scoring began in the first inning when senior shortstop Alex Stegman (Berea, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) hit an RBI double to center field. Stegman delivered an outstanding performance, going 3-for-5 with a double, a walk, and two RBIs.

Tsouras continued the momentum with an RBI single to center field. He also had a remarkable game, finishing 3-for-6 with a walk and five RBIs. Next, Thome got in on the action with an RBI double to right field. He had his best performance of the season, going 5-for-6 with a walk, an extra-base hit, and two RBIs.

Ickes reached on a fielder's choice and earned an RBI, giving the Purple Raiders a 4-0 lead after the first inning. In game two, Ickes went 2-for-5 with four RBIs. Although Otterbein added two runs in the second inning, Mount Union responded with a strong push. In the top of the third inning, Ickes hit a two-RBI single, contributing to the three runs scored by the Purple Raiders in that inning.

In the fourth inning, the Purple Raiders added four more runs to their score, featuring an RBI single from designated hitter Johnny Costella (Cleveland, Ohio / Trinity) and another RBI single from outfielder Brycen Fox (Hamilton, Ohio / Badin). The Purple Raiders were determined to keep the momentum going. In the fifth and sixth innings, Mount Union scored four more runs, as Tsouras hit a two-RBI single, extending the Purple Raiders' lead to 15-7.

Mount Union concluded the game on a strong note, scoring four runs in the ninth inning. The highlight of this inning was second baseman Andrew Witte (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), who hit a sacrifice fly to center field, followed by first baseman Joe Lenart (Cleveland, Ohio/Garfield Heights), who delivered an RBI double to left-center field. As a result, the Purple Raiders won the game with a final score of 19-8.

Mount Union's next game will be Wednesday in a doubleheader at home against Baldwin Wallace University, with the first pitch at 1:00 PM