Tigers Drop Both Ends of Home-Opener to Mount Union

Photo provided by Gary Eippert
Photo provided by Gary Eippert

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—On a day that started with legendary head coach Jay Lewis throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, Wittenberg fell to Mount Union in both-ends of a double-header in the team's home opener. Wittenberg fell to OAC foe Mount Union 6-2 and 5-3. The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday as the team travels to take on Earlham College out of the Heartland Conference.

GAME ONE SCORING BREAKDOWN

Bottom 2nd

  • After doubling to left field and later moving up to third on a stolen base, senior Dalton Boucher scored on a balk by the Purple Raiders pitcher, as the Tigers trailed 3-1.

Bottom 3rd

  • Wittenberg tacked on another run in the bottom of the third as senior infielder Josh Kaplan singled home Jace Barga, as the Tigers cut the Purple Raiders lead to 3-2.

GAME TWO SCORING BREAKDOWN

Bottom 1st

  • Wittenberg took an early 1-0 lead in game two, as Brad Malott grounded out to shortstop, scoring the Tiger's leadoff hitter, Matt Baker, from third.

Bottom 5th

  • With runners on first and third, freshman shortstop Ryan Probst placed a perfect push bunt between Mount Unions pitcher, second-basemen, and first-basemen, as Chase Carpenter crossed home plate from third.

KEY STATS

  • Wittenberg led headed into the seventh inning on Saturday, but Mount Union managed to tie the game up before scoring two runs with two outs in the eighth inning.
  • The Tigers pitching staff surrendered ten walks, six doubles, and three home-runs in the home-opener.
  • As a team, the Tigers walked four times and struck out 12 on a day where the offense produced ten total hits.
  • Kaplan paced the Tigers at the plate with four hits, two in each end of the double-header, as the senior is currently hitting .379 in 2017.