Tigers Open NCAC Schedule With Pair Of Losses To Wabash

File Photo | Erin Pence
File Photo | Erin Pence

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers kicked off the No, rth Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) portion of the 2014 season with a pair of losses to visiting Wabash.

The Tigers fell to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in the NCAC West Division after defeats by scores of 8-3 and 14-4. Wabash is now 7-7 overall and 2-0 in the NCAC West, heading into Monday's doubleheader between the two teams, which was rescheduled from Saturday due to inclement weather.

The start time for Monday's twinbill is noon at Carleton Davidson Stadium.

In the first game of the series, Wabash scored a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth and sixth to take a commanding 5-0 lead. After Wittenberg responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth, the Little Giants put the game away with three in the top of the seventh. The Tigers rsponded with two in the bottom of the final frame to account for the final margin.

Sophomore Luke Black (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) picked up the loss after going 5.2 innings. He allowed five runs (all earned) on nine hits and three walks before giving way to junior Frank Sullivan (Milford, Ohio/Milford), who gave up three runs (two earned) in 1.1 innings.

Offensively, Wittenberg banged out nine hits but stranded six runners. Freshman Dalton Boucher (Granville, Ohio/Granville), senior Alex Lochard (Sidney, Ohio/Sidney) and senior Brandon Jordan (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) each finished with two hits, with Boucher driving in a pair of a double. Boucher, Jordan and junior Mike Burgher (Birmingham, Mich./Seaholm) scored the Tigers' runs.

In the nightcap, Wabash pounded out 20 hits against five Wittenberg pitchers, scoring at least one run in six of the nine innings. The Tigers were only able to muster four runs on four hits.

Freshman Tyler Powell (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana) was charged with loss after going five innings. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks.

Boucher, senior Tyler Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio/Cincinnati Moeller), sophomore Will Cousins (Medfield, Mass./Medfield) and senior Tyler Grau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) each finished with one hit. Boucher, Hutchinson and freshman Ben Dobrowolski (Milford, Ohio/Milford) drove in the runs.