Tigers Wrap Up Spring Break With 15-9 Loss To Penn St.-Altoona

Ryan Patrick pitched a scoreless inning in relief against Penn St.-Altoona. File Photo | Nick Falzerano
Ryan Patrick pitched a scoreless inning in relief against Penn St.-Altoona. File Photo | Nick Falzerano

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Wittenberg Tigers put the finishing touches on their 2016 Spring Break trip with a 15-9 loss to Penn St.-Altoona.

The loss was Wittenberg's fourth in a row after a promising 2-1 start in the Sunshine State. Penn St.-Altoona improved to 4-11.

The Tigers brought their bats to Chain of Lakes Park, finishing with 15 hits. Highlights included doubles from sophomore Timmy Bates (Westerville, Ohio/South) and junior Dalton Boucher (Granville, Ohio/Granville) and a home run by senior Will Cousins (Medfield, Mass./Medfield).

However, the Tigers didn't do the job defensively, committing six errors in the game that led to four unearned runs for Penn St.-Altoona. The errors hindered the Tiger pitchers, who also walked eight batters in the game.

Freshman Matt Baker (Tuscon, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) continued to do fine work from the leadoff spot, finishing 4-for-6, and junior Josh Kaplan (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) contibuted three hits and two runs batted in. Cousins finished 2-for-4 and scored three runs.

The Tigers will open up the northern portion of the 2016 schedule by hosting a doubleheader against Wilmington on Saturday, March 19, followed by a nine-inning game hosted by the Quakers the next day.

Written By: Ryan Maurer