PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Wittenberg Tigers got the kind of pitching performance necessary to win most games, but the offense was unable to do its part in a 3-2 loss to Heidelberg on the second day of the Russ Matt Tournament in Port Charlotte, Fla.
The Tigers dropped to 1-2 on the young season.
Senior Tyler McClain (Springfield, Ohio/North) turned in perhaps his finest pitching performance as a member of the Red & White, going seven innings and allowing just two runs before getting into trouble in the eighth. Sophomore Josh Fiebiger (Fletcher, Ohio/Miami East) relieved and got the final three outs of the eighth inning, but not before the go-ahead run had scored on a sacrifice fly.
The Tigers outhit Heidelberg 7-3 in the game, but Wittenberg could manage nothing more than lone runs in the fourth and seventh innings. Sophomore Jacob Michael (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) had an RBI single and freshman Zach Marinelli (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) stole home to account for the Tigers' only two markers on the scoreboard.