Otterbein pounded out 16 hits and scored at least one run in six innings en route to a 16-7 win over the Denison Big Red on Thursday night in Granville.  The Cardinals improve to 19-8 while the Big Red drop to 12-11.

Trailing 1-0 heading to the home half of the third, Denison would take advantage of two errors by Otterbein third baseman Nick Pitzer by plating three runs in the inning.  Sam Frazen and Evan Flax would score off a ball put in play by Tanner Johnson and one batter later, Nick Marsit would score off a batted ball by Lascelles Lagares.

The Cardinals would strike back with four runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to take an 8-4 lead.  Two more runs by Otterbein in the seventh and eighth and a three-spot in the ninth would blow the game wide open.

The Big Red would tack on three runs in the bottom of the ninth powered by six pinch hitters.  Conner Madey's opposite field single to right would score Lagares and Tucker Davison.  A fielder's choice by Jake Meegan would drive in Eric Zmuda who singled to left after pinch hitting for Jack Blanchard.

Georgie Montes led Denison offensively, going 2-for-4 with one run scored.  Royce Park (0-1) pitched 3.1 innings and allowed five runs off four hits.  He walked two and struck out one. Johnny Funkhouser pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

The win went to Otterbein reliever Ross Wilson who pitched 3.1 innings and did not allow an earned run.  He walked three, struck out four while giving up two hits.

Compton led the Cardinals at the plate, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs and three runs scored.  He also stole two bases.

Denison will return to the diamond on Saturday (April 18) for a four-game North Coast Athletic Conference divisional series at Ohio Wesleyan University.  Saturday and Sunday's doubleheaders will begin at 12 p.m.  

Denison and Otterbein will meet again next Thursday (April 23) for a single 9-inning game in Westerville, Ohio.