CLERMONT, Fla. - The Wittenberg Tigers continued to swing the bats with authority, but for the first time in the 2014 season, so did one of their opponents.
As a result, Wittenberg ended up splitting a pair of games on its third day of Spring Break competition at the Dot Richardson Spring Games. The Tigers now stand 5-1 after dropping a 10-7 decision to Simmons and defeating Wesleyan 12-0 in five innings.
In the first game of the day, Simmons took advantage of three Wittenberg errors to pil up 10 runs in the first three innings. The Tigers battled back, scoring runs in four different innings, but it wasn't enough.
Wittenberg outhit Simmons by a 12-7 count, but Tiger pitchers were charged with four unearned runs in the game, accounting for the final score differential. Freshman Alyssa Durette (Geneva, NY/Geneva) was knocked out of the pitcher's circle in the second inning as she allowed eight runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks. She was relieved by sophomore Kaela Hughes (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson), who allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks in five innings.
Five different players finished the game with two hits for Wittenberg, including senior Kaitie Harrison (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge), who drove in a pair, and senior Rachel Ross (Westerville, Ohio/South), who scored a pair.
Against Wesleyan, Ross stepped into the pitcher's circle and did what she does so well, tossing five scoreless innings. Ross sccattered four singles and one walk while facing just 20 batters.
The offense scored one run in the first inning and then broke things open with an 11 spot in the third. The biggest swings in a 13-hit barrage were provided by junior Ashlee Wright (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont), who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, four RBIs and a home run, and senior Laura Rose (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins), who pounded a two-run homer and scored twice.
Also of note, freshman Casey Hobbs (Fairborn, Ohio/Carroll) went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs.