WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Wittenberg Tigers made it three victories in two days after pulling off a doubleheader sweep of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
The Tigers managed just two hits in the opener, but it was enough run support for senior pitcher Zach Finke (Maineville, Ohio/St. Xavier), who tossed an impressive three-hit shutout for a 1-0 victory. In the nightcap, Wittenberg capitalized on five WPI errors to secure a 5-3 victory.
The Tigers have four varsity games remaining on their annual Spring Break trip to Winter Haven, Fla. Wittenberg will play nine-inning games against Eastern Mennonite on Thursday and Aurora on Saturday, with a doubleheader against Union set for Friday.
After opening the season with a 17-hit barrage in a 12-7 win over St. Vincent, Wittenberg pushed across a long run with the benefit of one hit in the top of the sixth inning in the first game against WPI. Sophomore Zac Wilson (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton) led off with walk, and after he stole second base he advanced to third on a balk. Junior Tyler Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio/Cincinnati Moeller) drove him home with a clutch two-out single to right-center field.
Wittenberg played errorless baseball behind Finke, who put together perhaps his finest performance in the Red & White. He allowed just three singles in the game, striking out seven and walking no one in going the distance.
The day's second game was an error-filled contest that also featured a tremendous Wittenberg pitching performance. Senior Kevin Tolle (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont) overcame three Tiger miscues behind him by yielding five hits and two walks while tossing a complete game. He allowed three runs, two of which were earned.
Offensively, the Tigers scratched across single runs in the first, third and fifth innings and then plated what turned out to be the decisive pair in the sixth. Wilson was spectacular at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored – he also finished the day with four stolen bases (two in each game).
Sophomore Brandon Reaman (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont) added two hits and two runs batted in, while junior Tyler Grau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) also drive in a run and scored another.
