J.T. Thompson
SPRINGFIELD, OH - An important early season series victory over the Earlham Quakers closed out with a 3-1 advantage for the home-standing Tigers. Offense was plentiful in an 11-9 opening win, highlighted by a seven-run fifth inning. Just as quickly as the offense erupted, it went silent in the nightcap, as Wittenberg dropped the second contest, 4-3.
The top of the order spearheaded the Game 1 victory, as senior shortstop J.T. Thompson (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont)knocked three hits and scored twice. Six players recorded multiple hits on the afternoon, including a mammoth afternoon from sophomore first baseman Zach Spring (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty). The sophomore drove in a team-high four runs while scoring a pair of his own.
Junior pitcher Bobby Ciucki (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) earned the win as a starter, keeping the Quakers at bay for 4.1 innings.
Less than half an hour after the conclusion of their first encounter of the day, the Tiger bats went into hibernation. Held silent for six innings, freshman Tyler James (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) brought the Red and White within one on the strength of his pinch-hit three-run home run. However, the Tigers could not complete the comeback and had to settle for the split.
The Tigers stand at 5-8 overall and 3-1 in the NCAC West Division, which leaves them alone atop the division. Mid-week action approaches with a meeting with Ohio Athletic Conference foe Muskingum at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.
Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant