SPRINGFIELD, Ohio- Just as quickly as the bats exploded for the Tigers in seven-run outburst against Case Western Reserve, they fell quiet again as Wittenberg settled for a split with the visiting Spartans, winning 7-0 before falling 2-0 in the second contest.
Head coach Becky Hall could not have asked for much more from her pitching all day, as Rachael Hatcher (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton) displayed tremendous control in her third consecutive complete game shutout. The senior five-hit the Spartans while striking out a season-high 11 batters.
The bats came through with run support, blowing the game open in the fifth inning with a four-spot. Third baseman Jade Chivington (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) continued to prove herself as the most reliable bat in the lineup, knocking three hits and scoring once. Freshman Abby Ballantine (Glenford, Ohio/Sheridan) delivered the knockout punch with a pinch-hit, two-RBI triple in the fifth.
The momentum shifted, however, in game two, where the Tigers could not take advantage of a five-hitter from junior Brooke Boswell (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) in the loss. The split leaves Wittenberg at 6-12 as they prepare for a trip to Westerville, Ohio to take on Otterbein College on Monday, March 30 for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.
Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant