SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - In a moment of crisis, a freshman relief pitcher stepped forward to save the day for the Wittenberg Tigers.
Righthander Josh Fiebiger made the most of his first big moment in a Tiger uniform, coming on in the top of the ninth inning to stall a Muskingum rally and earn his first career save in a 7-6 Wittenberg win over visiting Muskingum. Fiebiger got the final two outs after the Tigers had seen a seemingly secure 7-1 lead shrink to one run.
The win moved the Tigers to 15-13 overall, a day after a frustrating 19-8 home defeat against Thomas More had extended a midseason losing streak to three games. It was the 204th career victory for Head Coach Jay Lewis, breaking the school record for coaching victories previously held by Howard "Red" Maurer, who led the Red & White from 1951-75.
This game appeared to be well in hand heading into the late innings as junior starting pitcher Trey Richardson and junior reliever Tyler McClain shut down the Muskies through the first seven innings. Muskingum pushed across a run in the top of the eighth on a bases-loaded walk, but when Wittenberg got an RBI triple from senior designated hitter Brian Hampp and a sacrifice fly from sophomore catcher Matt Steinke in the bottom of the inning, the lead seemed secure.
Muskingum loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth on a walk and two hit batsmen, setting the stage for the rally. Fiebiger came on with the lead down to 7-5 with runners on second and third base, but he induced a sacrifice fly and a groundout to third to end the threat.
Richardson picked up the win after dancing in and out of trouble through 6.2 innings. He allowed five hits and walked five batters, but he was bailed out of a bases-loaded situation in the seventh inning when McClain came on in relief to get the final out.
Hampp had two hits and two runs batted in, while senior centerfielder Matt Berry had one of his biggest career games, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Sophomore Jon Fox had his 15-game hitting streak stopped, going 0-for-3.