Runs Elude WashU as No. 10 CWRU Crowned UAA Champs

St. Louis, Mo., April 22, 2018 – The Washington University in St. Louis baseball team fell 4-0 in the final game of a four-game University Athletic Association (UAA) series with No. 10-ranked Case Western Reserve University Sunday afternoon at Kelly Field.

Following the weekend series split, WashU heads into the final week of the regular season with a 17-14 overall record (6-6 UAA). CWRU improved to 25-6 overall and 12-4 in the UAA. The Bears outhit the Spartans 8-7 in the contest but were shutout for the fourth time this season.

Freshman Rees Viersen pitched a career-high six innings while holding CWRU to two runs, five hits and two walks while striking out six. He was saddled with the hard-luck loss as both runs scored were unearned.

Sophomore Jack Besser was strong in his relief appearance blanking the Spartans for two innings with three strikeouts and no hits before exiting the ninth inning after issuing a one-out walk. CWRU scored two runs in the ninth, with one run credited to each Besser and freshman Tim Tague.

The Bears' one through four hitters in the lineup each had one hit apiece while sophomores John Ostrander and Brian Schutter finished a combined 4-for-8.  WashU had runners in scoring position three times including a leadoff double by Schutter in the fifth inning but WashU was unable to capitalize.

The only inning in which the Bears had more than one hit was in the eighth as senior Auggie Mense led the bottom half of the frame off with a bunt single. However, he was thrown out during junior Evan Nagel's at-bat when he tried to advance to second base on a pitch in the dirt. On the very next pitch Nagel sent a ball into deep right field for a double.

The Bears will remain home for another UAA four-game series this week while hosting Brandeis University Thursday-Saturday, April 26-28. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Bears scores and awards by following @WashUBears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.