SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - With the exception of one eight-game stretch, the Wittenberg Tigers have had tremendous difficulty putting back-to-back wins together. Chalk up another split, as the Tigers and Kenyon each won a game Tuesday at Dillahunt Field.
As a result, Wittenberg now stands 18-8 overall and, more importantly, 4-2 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, compared to 8-12 overall and 2-4 in the NCAC for the Ladies. The Tigers will have a few days off to iron some things out and wake up the bats before making the long weekend trip to Hiram for a Saturday doubleheader against the conference rival Terriers.
Things started out well enough as the Tigers captured the first game by a 2-1 score. Despite being outhit 6-3 in the game, Wittenberg made the most of their offensive opportunities as junior Julie Ziegler (Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins) collected an RBI single in the second inning and freshman Amanda Henderson (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton) added a clutch fifth-inning home run, the first of her career.
Sophomore Brooke Boswell (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) was not at her best, but she made those two runs stand up by scattering six hits and two walks but allowing just one seventh-inning run. She did her best work in the final frame - after loading the bases and walking in a run, Boswell settled down to strike out the last batter for the complete-game victory.
The nightcap was a completely different story for the Tigers as Kenyon exploded for a pair of three-run innings in the second and third. All six runners who reached base against Wittenberg junior Rachael Hatcher (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton) came around to score, including three who coaxed walks.
The Tiger bats continued to slumber in response, with only sophomore Liz Roby (London, Ohio/London) breaking through for two hits and a run scored.