Bluffton, OH– The Wittenberg Univesity baseball team picked up two wins from the road, taking down the Beavers of Bluffton University on Saturday afternoon. The day started with an exciting 11 inning win by the Red and White, as the Tigers took the first game by a final score of 6-4. The Wittenberg offense stayed hot heading into the second game of the day, as the Tigers completed the sweep of Bluffton with the 7-2 win to close out the day. added two runs in the top of the eleventh inning to get the 6-4 win in the first game of a doubleheader against the Bluffton Beavers.
Game One Breakdown
The Tigers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead by the end of the top of the second inning. Starting with an RBI single by Jack Siefert, Jack Hollinshead came around to put the Tigers up 1-0. Siefert came around to score with some heads up baserunning, capitalizing on the Bluffton wild pitch. Rounding out the first inning scoring effort for the Red and White, Patrick Kenny scored off a Parker Thompson single.
After Gage Carpenter and Hayden Knox singles, Hollinshead sent a sacrifice fly out to right field, bringing home Carpenter to score. The Beavers put up more of a fight in the bottom of the second, but the Beavers were unable to drive in the runner.
Bluffton would score twice in the fifth inning, cutting the Wittenberg advantage down to 4-2. With Bluffton bringing things back to even and forcing extra-innings, the Tigers two more runs in the 11th inning to regain the lead. Carpenter scored an unearned run off a dropped flyball to center. Another Bluffton error allowed Knox to score an unearned run to give the Tigers the last run of the game, 6-4.
Game Two Breakdown
Wittenberg took the early lead in game two, as Jeff Chonko executed the sacrifice bunt, bringing in Kenny. After holding Bluffton scoreless through the first three innings of action, Wittenberg added three more runs to their advantage in the top of the fourth inning. An RBI single by Kenny scored Siefert for the first Wittenberg run. Michael Flynn reached safely after the Bluffton error, while Kenny was able to come around and score. Greg Vanerstrom drove in the final Wittenberg run of the fourth inning, with the RBI groundout. Tanner Boros added to the Tiger lead in the fifth inning with an RBI single, bringing around Hayden Knox. Bluffton would try to mount a comeback, posting one run in the fifth inning. Wittenberg added two more runs before the final out occurred, adding to their advantage in the seventh and the ninth. Michael Martin toed the rubber to start the second game for the Red and White, striking out four and allowing only three hits in just over four innings of work.
Player Highlights
Adam Mays picked up the win for the Tigers, filling in to finish the game following pitching stints by Griggs and Jace Barga. Griggs faced 25 batters, Barga 11, and Mays 12.
Siefert recorded four hits with Carpenter picking up three. Out of six plate appearances, Carpenter recorded two runs. Knox stepped up to the plate five times, recording one run.
Matt Shanor picked up the win in game two, coming in to relieve Martin. Shanor completed three innings of work, striking out five with just two hits allowed.
Up Next
The Tigers will take on Wilmington on Wednesday, Mar. 27 from Carleton-Davidson Stadium. First pitch will be thrown at 6 p.m. The Tigers will then travel to Denison on Saturday, March 30thfor a doubleheader with first pitch at noon.