Pair Of Pitcher's Duels Split Down The Middle

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - The Wittenberg Tigers continued their meatgrinder of an early-season schedule with a road trip to perennial powerhouse Thomas More and came away with a doubleheader split.

After winning the opener by a 3-2 score, Wittenberg dropped a 1-0 decision in the nightcap to remain at .500 for the season at 6-6 overall. The games were Wittenberg's first since returning from the Tigers' annual Spring Break trip to Florida.

Thomas More also remains at .500 for the campaign at 7-7.

Game 1 was scoreless until Thomas More broke through for a pair of runs in the third inning. However, the Tigers rallied in the next half-inning, tying the game in the top of the fourth on the strength of a two-run home run from freshman Lindsey Blair (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), the first hit of her collegiate career in her eighth at-bat and just second starting assignment.

In the fifth, Wittenberg pushed across was turned out to be the winning run as sophomore Abby Baker (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) drove in junior Kaela Hughes (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson). Hughes and Baker both finished 2-for-4 in the game.

In the pitcher's circle, freshman Chelsea Zang (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) was outstanding, allowing just one earned run on four hits and a walk. She struck out six batters.

The nightcap went the Saints' way on the strength of the game's lone run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Two of Thomas More's five hits in the game came in the decisive frame.

Wittenberg managed just two hits in the entire contest, both coming off the bat of sophomore Casey Hobbs (Fairborn, Ohio/Carroll). She was Wittenberg's lone baserunner in the game.

Freshman pitcher Abby Haab (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) went the distance in the pitcher's circle for Wittenberg. She struck out eight en route to the hard-luck defeat.

Written By: Ryan Maurer