CLERMONT, Fla. - The Wittenberg Tigers put the finishing touches on their annual Spring Break trip to Florida with a pair of losses to top competition.

A 6-5 defeat against Hope in eight innings and a 9-0 whitewashing against Tufts, the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division III, left the Tigers with a 5-5 record. The Tigers return to action on March 21 at Thomas More.

The day started with a tense battle against Great Lakes Region rival Hope, one of the top teams each year in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Through seven innings, the two teams were knotted at four, leading to an extra frame that went Hope's way as the Dutch scored twice in the top half and held Wittenberg to one run in the bottom half.

Wittenberg collected nine hits in the game, including three off the bat of sophomore Abby Baker (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and two from sophomore Casey Hobbs (Fairborn, Ohio/Carroll), including a solo home run.

In the pitcher's circle, freshman Chelsea Zang (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) pitched the first seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six batters. Freshman Abby Haab (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) relieved and took the loss as Hope's Sierra Mutschler touched her for the game-winning homer in the top of the eighth.

Tufts overmatched the Tigers in the day's second game, as the defending national champions recorded not only a shutout but a no-hitter by pitcher Allyson Fournier. Wittenberg had three runners reach base as junior Loren Combs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) was hit by a pitch and stole second base twice in both the first and third innings, and senior Ashlee Wright (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) drew a walk.

Written By: Ryan Maurer