GAMBIER, Ohio -- Playing for the first time in over a week and a half, the Kenyon College baseball team faced DePauw University in a doubleheader before a home crowd on Saturday afternoon. The Owls traded wins with the Tigers, taking the first game 8-1 before falling in the 4-3 in the second. After the split, the Owls sit at 10-11 overall and 3-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).

Frank Lynch started on the bump for the Owls in game one, only allowing one run in his 5.1 innings pitched. His strong start kept the Owls in the game as the offense worked up to a big game, and he exited with a 2-1 lead after Edwin Groff got the team's first two RBIs. 

With the score favoring Kenyon, 2-1, the Owls turned on the jets in the bottom of the sixth inning. A hit-by-pitch and a walk put runners on base as Luke Meister put a single through the left side, scoring Niko Price and pushing Tyler Nee to second who then advanced to third on a fielding error. Another two runs were cashed in after Nate Rosen hit a solid shot over shortstop, putting the home team ahead 5-1.

Game one was sealed in the eighth inning as Kenyon extended their lead to seven after Meister was hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a fielder's choice. A single from Rosen scored Meister, then two more runs crossed the plate from a Dustin Lee double that drove in Parker Gibbons and Groff.

Christian Harris held down DePauw over 3.1 innings of relief, earning his season's first save. Lynch ultimately got the win on the mound, and Rosen led the offense, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Another notable hitter from game one was Groff in the designated hitter spot, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Game two was a different story as DePauw led for the majority of the game and Kenyon's offense could not stay hot. DePauw didn't do much against Lewis Cropper, but the Tigers tacked on two runs and led 2-0 through six and a half innings.

It wasn't until the seventh frame when Kenyon's bats got going. Nee singled up the middle, advancing Resnick to third and scoring Lee. Another run touched home when Meister reached on a fielder's choice as Resnick scored, tying the game. With Nee on third, Meister stole second, where DePauw tried to throw, but the decision allowed Nee to easily steal home and put Kenyon ahead 3-2.

The Owls seemed like they were on a roll, but the Tigers quickly responded with two runs of their own in the following frame, a two-run homer by Drew Straub. The Owls didn't have an answer and ended up coming up short by one run, falling 4-3.

Lewis Cropper pitched great for 7.1 innings while Jack Enger finished out the game and ultimately took home the loss. Nee led the offense with two hits, an RBI, and a run.

Up next, the Owls return home when they welcome Ohio Wesleyan University to McCloskey Field on Wednesday, April 16. First pitch of the twin bill is set for noon.