HIRAM, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers found their bats, and hopefully just in the nick of time. After slumping in recent weeks, the Wittenberg offense broke out to score 20 runs in a clutch doubleheader sweep of host Hiram.
The victories earned Wittenberg the No. 2 seed in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament, which will be hosted by DePauw May 2-3. Since a scheduled doubleheader at Ohio Northern on Monday, April 28, has already been cancelled due to inclement weather in the forecast, Wittenberg will head into the NCAC Tournament sporting records of 21-9 overall and 11-5 in the NCAC.
The Tigers jumped on top in Game 1 with three runs in the first two innings. After Hiram answered with one run in the fourth, the Tigers put the game away with three more in the final two innings.
Wittenberg pounded out 16 hits in the game, including five doubles by five different players. Sophomore Loren Combs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) collected three hits and two runs scored, while five other Tigers collected two hits in the game. Junior Ashlee Wright (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) drove in a pair.
In the pitcher's circle, senior Rachel Ross (Westerville, Ohio/South) was dominant in tossing a complete game. She allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks.
Wittenberg opened the nightcap with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning but Hiram answered with a pair in the bottom. After Ross entered in relief to snuff out the Terrier rally, the Tigers put the game out of reach with four runs in the second and fourth innings, and two-run rallies in the sixth and seventh.
Ross broke the school record for career pitching wins by going 6.2 innings, allowing nine hits and two walks that led to four earned runs for the Terriers. Ross now has 52 career victories, one more than Rachael Hatcher.
For the second straight game, Wittenberg finished with 16 hits as six different players turned in multi-hit performances. Senior Laura Rose (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins) went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs, freshman Abby Baker (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs, and senior Kaitie Harrison (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) went 3-for-4 with one run and three RBIs.