Tigers Sweep Gators in NCAC Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg opened NCAC play against the Gators or Allegheny with a double-header sweep on Saturday. The Tigers were picked to finish second in the NCAC behind DePauw, as Wittenberg got off to a hot start on a brisk Ohio day. Wittenberg dismantled Allegheny 8-0 in game one, before sending the Gators packing with a 12-3 win in game two. Both games were called after six innings, as Allegheny's offense produced six hits total on the day. Wittenberg on the other hand exploded for 19 hits and 21 runs on the day, as interim head coach Kennedy Haynes picked up her first two NCAC wins on the afternoon.

GAME ONE NOTES: Wittenberg hung a three-spot on the Gators in the first innings, as the opening frame was capped off by a RBI double from Rachel Black, scoring Missy Lee. The Tiger's lead grew to 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth after an Alex Gibson double plated Olivia Hopkins, and another Black double plated Victoria Toetz. Wittenberg cut the game to a six inning win after Toetz singled home Elise Freeland in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Tigers an 8-0 win. Abby Haab improved to 4-5 in the circle, as the senior scattered three hits and struck out four in five innings of work. Chelsea Zang came in for an inning of work in the sixth, striking out the side in a flawless frame.

GAME TWO NOTES: Wittenberg didn't slow down at all in game two, as the Tiger's offense exploded for 11 runs behind a strong start from Katelyn Niswonger. Despite trailing 3-1 early on, the Tigers tied the game up at 3-3 with a Toetz homer to center-field, and did not look back. By the end of the third, Wittenberg led 6-3, and by the end of the fifth, the lead ballooned to 11-3. Niswonger had all the support she needed, as the freshman managed to scatter three hits in five innings of work, while striking out three.

UP NEXT: Wittenberg is back in action on April 4 at 3:30 P.M. against Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio.