WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - After a very short turnaround from the previous day's doubleheader, the Wittenberg Tigers efficiently punched in eight runs on 10 hits to claim their first win of the season, an 8-5 extra-inning affair with St. Joseph's College. In the second contest, however, the bats went silent as Wittenberg could not battle back from an early deficit in a 5-3 loss.
Senior outfielder Patrick Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield)led a parade of Tigers at the plate with multi-hit days. A 2-for-5 morning included an RBI and pair of runs scored. The middle of the order follow suit, as Wittenberg's 3-6 hole hitters all had at least two base knocks. Catcher A.J. Bush (Troy, Ohio/Troy) led the way with two RBIs, including the eventual game-winning notch in the top of the ninth. Bush later came around to score in a three-run outburst that set the Tigers on their way to the win column.
Junior reliever Darin Mumaw (Fort Loramie, Ohio/Fort Loramie) picked up the win in 2.1 innings of one-run relief after sophomore Zach Spring (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) turned in a quality starting performance, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out six in 4.2 innings. Freshman Joey Borders (Springfield, Ohio/North) notched the first save of his young Wittenberg career.
In Game Two, the Tigers fell in a hole quickly, and could never unleash the offense, despite two hits from sophomore second baseman Tyler James (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater). On the hill, junior Kory Winter (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) settled down after a rough patch early but took the loss for the Red and White. His six-inning outing was the longest for the Tigers - and the first complete game of the season.
In addition to James' 2-for-3 performance in his first start of the year, Williams hit a home run and senior shortstop J.T. Thompson (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont) kept his four-game hitting streak alive.
Wittenberg's spring break trip continues with two nine-inning contests on Tuesday, March 10. The first pits the Tigers against regional foe Transylvania at 9 a.m. before the a meeting with St. Cloud Tech at 12:30 p.m.
Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant
Writing Contributions: Stu Hartenstein '09