AUBURNDALE, Florida—Wittenberg University's baseball team opened up the season 1-0 after defeating Cairn University Sunday afternoon in sunny Florida. The Tigers jumped out to a 6-0 lead early, and held off Cairn's 5th inning rally of five runs to come out on top 9-5. Wittenberg's season opener was highlighted by Josh Kaplan's (Glenbrook, Illinois/Glenbrook North) three-for-four, four RBI day as the junior fell just a home-run short of the cycle. Kaplan's offensive efforts were aided by solid pitching performances on the bump by Jordan Hitt (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) and Jonathon Forster (Royal Oak, Michigan/Brother Rice). The win puts the Tigers at 1-0 on the young season, as the teams spring break trip continues Monday with a noon matchup against Beloit.
SCORING BREAKDOWN
- Senior Corey Farnbauch (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) plated the first runs of the year for the Tigers, knocking in Timmy Bates (Westerville, Ohio/South) on a double down the right-field line in the bottom of the second inning.
- Kaplan's red-hot day began by following up Farnbauch's double with one of his own, plating Farnbach and Rob Jaydos (Des Plaines, Illinois/St. Viator).
- The third inning was the same story for the Tiger's offense, as Will Cousins (Medfield, Massachusetts/Medfield) tripled to deep right-center plating Dalton Boucher (Granville, Ohio/Granville) and Cal Slusarz (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga).
- Cousins scored later in the third-frame on a passed-ball to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead.
- The usual suspects were back at it again in the sixth inning, as Farnbach doubled, and Kaplan tripled, giving Wittenberg an 8-5 lead.
- In the bottom of the eighth, as the Tigers were looking to add an insurance run, Kaplan came through yet again with an RBI single, plating Marshall Eippert (Milford, Ohio/Moeller), after reaching base on a fielder's-choice for the first time in hits Wittenberg career.
UP NEXT
- Wittenberg returns to action on Monday at noon against Beloit in Auburndale, Florida.
- The Tigers continue their Spring Break trip with games on Tuesday against Trine, Thursday against Mount St. Joseph, and Friday against Albion highlight the Tigers schedule.