Wittenberg Heads To Splitsville With Earlham
Between a blowout and a pitching duel, the Wittenberg Tigers and Earlham Quakers had to settle for a split in a Saturday doubleheader in Richmond, Ind. Wittenberg supercharged its offense for a 21-3 victory in the early game, while Earlham turned things around to hold the Tiger bats to two runs in a close 3-2 decision.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Between a blowout and a pitching duel, the Wittenberg Tigers and Earlham Quakers had to settle for a split in a Saturday doubleheader in Richmond, Ind. Wittenberg supercharged its offense for a 21-3 victory in the early game, while Earlham turned things around to hold the Tiger bats to two runs in a close 3-2 decision.
After posting 12 runs through five innings, the Tigers exploded in the sixth for nine runs, in a string of hits that started with three straight doubles to lead off the inning. Senior leftfielder Jeremy Fruhwirth (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) and sophomore first basemen Chris Dorka (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) both had four RBI in the game, Fruhwirth batting 3-for-4 and Dorka 4-for-5. Not to be left out, senior catcher Matt Steinke (Wapakoneta, Ohio/St. Mary's Memorial) went 4-for-4 from the plate while driving in three runs. Sophomore designated hitter A.J. Bush (Troy, Ohio/Troy) lit up the batter's box with a 3-for-4 outing, earning two RBI.
Sophomore starting pitcher Joel Assenheimer (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) kept the bullpen quiet with a complete game win, allowing just five hits in the performance. In the nightcap, it was sophomore Kory Winter (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) who got the starting nod. Although he gave up no more runs than Assenheimer, Winter was saddled with the loss, after the Tiger bats could not produce enough run support. Sophomore Darin Mumaw (Fort Loramie, Ohio/Fort Loramie) made a one-inning relief appearance in which he kept Earlham hitless.
The Tiger lineup had used up all its energy in the first game, and in the second, no batter was actually credited with an RBI. In the first inning, senior shortstop Joel Puthoff (Houston, Ohio/Russia) scored on a wild pitch, and in the fifth frame, Fruhwirth scored on a passed ball, accounting for both Wittenberg runs in the game. Fruhwirth was 2-for-3 at the dish, accounting for half of the Red & White's four hits. Steinke and senior second basemen Tyler Christello (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton)each recorded a base hit.
Sunday's doubleheader with the Quakers has been postponed due to weather concerns. It will be played on Saturday, April 26 in Richmond, Ind., with the first pitch scheduled for noon. The Tigers next take the field on Tuesday, April 1, at Wilmington College.