SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — On a day in which the Wittenberg baseball team lost both games in a North Coast Athletic Conference West Division doubleheader with Denison, there was good news. The Tiger lineup broke through with 19 hits between the two games and received some spectacular defensive play, but dropped the first game 6-3 and the second 11-8.
In game one, Denison scored five in the second inning and one in the seventh to counter the Tigers' three-run fourth. Wittenberg banged out eight hits to Denison's nine.
In game two, the Tigers' earned 11 base hits on their way to a 4-2 lead through three frames, and tacked on one each in the fourth and fifth before closing with two in the seventh. Denison answered with four in the fifth, three in the sixth and two in the seventh.
The Tigers' middle infield was unchallenged as the highlight of the day. Freshman shortstop Grant Goodwin (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) was 5-for-6 with a double and five RBIs, while freshman second baseman Zac Daniels (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson)turned four Denison hits into outs with his impressive defensive play.
After pinch hitting in the first game and starting in right field in the second, juniorTyler James (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) finished the day 1-for-2 with two RBIs thanks to a leadoff home run in the third inning of game one and a sacrifice fly in the next frame. James also drew two walks.
Other Tigers to drive in a run included sophomore first baseman Matt Hampp (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) in his 2-for-3 day, freshman center fielder Nick Van Dyne (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) on 4-for-8 hitting, junior outfielder Ray Noe (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) and senior outfielder Kory Winter (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto).
In a further testament to the Tigers' refocused offense, no player struck out more than once, four hit .500 or better and five hit .300 or better, four slugged for at least .750, and five posted on-base percentages of .375 or better.
From the mound, senior Bobby Ciucki (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) took the loss in game two after junior Zach Spring (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) absorbed the loss in game one. Sophomore Ted Skalla (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) was solid in relief of Spring, scattering two hits over two innings.
The Tigers and Big Red are set for a Noon rematch Saturday, April 3, at Carleton-Davidson Stadium to finish the series.
Written by: John Strawn '07