CLEVELAND – The No. 21 nationally ranked Case Western Reserve University baseball team scored a combined 33 runs on 33 hits to power past Westminster College (Pa.) in the 2014 home opener at Nobby's Ballpark.
The Spartans (17-5) defeated the Titans (6-13) scores of 12-1 and 21-0 (7 innings).
Senior shortstop Andrew Frey (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), junior third baseman Andrew Gronski (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) and freshman centerfielder Aaron Cain (Hartville, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) combined for 13 of the team's hits on the day. Frey was 4-for-8 with a double, four RBI and four runs scored. Gronski was 4-for-9 with four RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Cain went 5-for-9 with a double, three RBI and four runs scored.
Seven other Spartans drove in at least two runs for the day.
In game one, the Spartans utilized two big innings and a dominant start from sophomore pitcher Neal Krentz (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.Lahser).
Leading 1-0, the Spartans scored five times in the fourth as Frey provided a two-run double to left center. A single run in the fifth was followed by four in the seventh and one in the eighth. Gronski drove in two in the seventh with a single to right.
Krentz improved to 2-0 for the season as he went six innings and allowed zero runs on just three hits with four strikeouts. Westminster's lone run came in the top of the seventh.
Offensively, Cain finished 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Junior catcher Jordan Swisher (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) went 2-for-3 with two runs.
For Westminster, Jake Haubrich was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Scott Hanicak (2-4) pitched the first 3 2/3 innings in the loss.
In game two, the Spartans scored early and often with four runs in the first, two in the second, three in the third, five in the fourth and seven in the fifth.
Freshman Jake Shields (Hamilton, Ohio/Ross Senior) improved to 3-1 with five shutout innings and a career-high 10 strikeouts. Westminster did not record its lone hit until the fifth inning.
At the plate, Frey was 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI. Sophomore outfielder Marques Winick (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) finished 3-for-3 with four runs and two RBI.
Kyle Borton (2-4) took the loss for Westminster in three innings pitched.
CWRU has a quick turnaround as it plays a key home doubleheader against No. 18 Marietta College on Sunday, April 6. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Nobby's Ballpark.