SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – In midweek, non-conference competition, the Wittenberg baseball team fell by a score of 16-7 against Thomas More on Tuesday and fell to 12-8 overall.

Both Thomas More and Wittenberg posted 15 hits over nine innings in a marathon three hour, 40 minute game.

Junior designated hitter Tyler Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio/Cincinnati Moeller) was responsible for four of those hits with an impressive 4-for-5 day at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring one. Sophomore Zac Wilson (Eaton, Ohio/Eaton) was 3-for-5 batting first in the order with an RBI and a walk, and senior Zach Finke (Maineville, Ohio/St. Xavier) finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Thomas More took the lead quickly with a four-run first inning and never relinquished the advantage. The Tigers' two run retaliation in the bottom of the frame and a single run in the second nearly tied the game, but the Saints responded with two runs in the third and three more in the fourth.

With one of his four hits, Hutchinson started a three-run, fifth-inning rally with a one-out single. Junior Brandon Jordan (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) followed up with an RBI single and senior Grant Goodwin (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) doubled in a run to complete the rally.

The surge brought the Tigers within three runs at 9-6, but Thomas More posted single runs in the sixth and seventh before a five-run outburst in the eighth sealed the game. Wittenberg hinted at a rally with a run in the eighth, but the Saints escaped without further damage.

Wittenberg starting pitcher sophomore Stu Haley (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) took the loss, and was followed by seven relief pitchers.

The Tigers take Wednesday off before heading to Mount Union for a 4 p.m. single game, originally scheduled for March 24 but postponed due to weather.

John Strawn '07