SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The final home doubleheader of the 2007-08 season ended in a split for the Wittenberg Tigers, who won Game 1 by a score of 7-4 and dropped the late game by a 2-7 margin.
Game 1 featured solid offense from the Tigers, while freshman Zach Spring (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty)pitched five great innings, allowing two runs on just six hits to pick up the win. Joining him in the pitching summary are freshman Jim Clement (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young), who gave up a hit and a walk but struck one out in 1/3 of an inning, and sophomore Darrin Mumaw (Fort Loramie, Fort Loramie), who finished the game with 1-2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs with three strikeouts and a hit batsman.
The offense made the most of what it could get, converting just five hits into seven runs. Only four Tigers hit their way on base, with senior Jeremey Fruhwirth (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) coming through on 2-for-3 hitting with an RBI. The Tigers stole nine bases and scored on sacrifice flies four times in the game.
The lineup again hit five times in Game 2, but simply did not manufacture runs the same way as in the opener. Only freshman Ray Noe (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) had a multiple-hit game, as he went 2-for-3 with a run scored. While the Tigers stole five bases, there were no sacrifice flies and only one RBI for the team.
The Tigers threw five in Game 2, including Mumaw and Clement again. FreshmanManny Rodriguez (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett) started and gave up just two runs on four hits and three strikeouts in 4-2/3 innings. He carried the through four innings of a 2-0 lead, but allowed the Lords to tie it up before exiting. JuniorJosh Fiebiger (Fletcher, Ohio/Miami East) came in to retire one out and end the fifth, before senior Joel Puthoff (Houston, Ohio/Russia) moved from shortstop to take the mound. He allowed five runs and ended up taking the loss before Mumaw and then Clement ended the game.
Tuesday night was also senior recognition night, as seniors Tyler Christello (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton), Fruhwirth, Puthoff, and Matt Steinke (Wapakoneta, Ohio/St. Mary's Memorial) were honored in a ceremony between games for their outstanding contributions to Wittenberg baseball throughout their careers.
The Tigers play their last game of the 2007-08 season Wednesday night at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, in a nine-inning game to start at 4 p.m.