CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - After the Wittenberg Tigers opened with four first-inning runs, a mid-week non-conference tilt against Thomas More went the wrong direction as the host Saints exploded offensively in a 17-6 victory.

Thomas More improved to 5-3 on the season, while Wittenberg fell to 4-6. The Tigers were scheduled to return to action immediately with a home date against North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Kenyon on Thursday, March 24, but an ominous weather forecast has forced a postponement until April 24.

As a result, Wittenberg will now have Easter weekend free of competition before a pair of non-conference games scheduled for next week against Otterbein and Capital.

The Tigers opened the game with four runs in the top of the first, starting with a two-run homer off the bat of senior catcher Will Cousins (Medfield, Mass./Medfield). That was followed by a two-run single from junior Josh Kaplan (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook South).

Thomas More responded immediately, matching Wittenberg's four-run output in the bottom of the first inning and then breaking the game open with at least one run in each of the next five innings. The Tiger pitching staff finally found answers in the form of freshman Jace Barga (Versailles, Ohio/Versailles) and sophomore Tanner Combs (Wytheville, Va./George Wythe), both of whom pitched scoreless innings in relief.

Offensively, Wittenberg collected eight hits, led by Kaplan and sophomore Timmy Bates (Westerville, Ohio/South) with two apiece. Kaplan drove in three runs and Bates scored three times.

Written By: Ryan Maurer