SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers took a significant step forward on Sunday, capturing both ends of a doubleheader against North Coast Athletic Conference West Division rival Denison. By scores of 3-2 and 12-9, the Tigers got an early leg up in the NCAC West Division race.
Wittenberg improved to 9-4 on the season and 2-0 in the NCAC West, heading into Monday's doubleheader, which is slated for a 6 p.m. start. Denison has advanced to the NCAC Tournament championship series each of the last two years, defeating Wittenberg three out of four times during the regular season each season.
In the opener, the Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first two innings and then held on behind the complete-game pitching performance of senior Jason Holmberg. Sophomore catcher Matt Steinke got the Tigers on the board with a two-run single in the first inning, and sophomore outfielder Jon Fox added a sacrifice fly to drive in the Tigers' final run in the second inning.
Wittenberg managed just two more hits the rest of the game, but Holmberg overcame an unearned run in the seventh inning to get the final out and preserve the victory. Holmberg picked up his third win of the season against no losses by allowing seven hits and one walk.
Game 2 was a much different story as the Tigers became the hunters instead of the hunted, and they played the role well. Denison jumped out to a 9-0 lead through the first two innings, chasing starter Trey Richardson and then reliever Eric Hartfelder with one out in the third inning. On came sophomore Ryan Cronk, who saved the day for the Tigers. After loading the bases with a walk and a hit batsman, Cronk retired the last two batters to keep the deficit at nine runs.
The comeback started in the bottom of the second inning as the Tigers scored four times on two-RBI base knocks by Fox and senior shortstop K.R. Schlievert. In the third, senior Matt Berry banged out a three-run double, the only hit of the Tigers' inning after two walks and a fielders choice set things up.
Wittenberg tied the score in the fourth on a Steinke sacrifice fly and an RBI single from freshman Jacob Michael. In the fifth inning, the Tigers took the lead, getting a two-run single from senior Brian Hampp, followed by an RBI single by junior Andrew Wellman.
Cronk preserved the lead and garnered his second win of the season, going 3.1 innings and allowing just one hit. Sophomore Joel Puthoff pitched the final inning and a third without allowing a baserunner to gain his fourth save of the season.
Wellman led the offensive barrage with three hits and freshman Patrick Williams and Hampp each had a pair of base hits. Berry, Hampp, Schlievert and Fox all had multi-RBI games for the Tigers, who are now batting a robust .352 at a team on the season.