Wittenberg Rallies For Win Over Otterbein

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - In an important turn of events for the struggling Wittenberg Tigers, a two-run ninth-inning rally earned an 8-7 non-conference victory over the visiting Otterbein Cardinals.

The Tigers improved to 15-13 overall after winning for the second straight time after losing three of four games against Thomas More College over the previous weekend. Psychologically, there probably could not have been a better time for the Tigers to rally for a win, especially considering the fact that Otterbein had defeated Wittenberg 14-2 two weeks earlier.

The ninth-inning rally came against Otterbein closer John Frank, and it was the usual manufacturing of runs for the Tigers. The key hit among four in the inning was a leadoff double into the left-centerfield gap by senior Jon Komperda. That was followed by singles off the bats of juniors Brian Hampp and Brad Koopman, the latter being a bunt that loaded the bases. Sophomore Andrew Wellman singled through the left side to drive in the tying run. After a fielders choice at home plate went for the first out, senior Tom Pickering sent the fans home happy as his sharply hit grounder kicked away from Otterbein's second baseman, driving in pinch-runner Rocky Staton.

Komperda finished with three hits and two runs scored, identical numbers to junior K.R. Schlievert one spot ahead of him in the lineup. Wellman pushed his batting average above .500 for the season with four hits in five at-bats. He drove in four runs.

On the mound, a pair of freshmen got the job done for the Tigers. Tyler Curlis made his first start and allowed six runs in 5.2 innings. He was followed to the hill by Eric Hartfelder, who tossed 3.1 innings of four-hit, one-run relief. Hartfelder, who was appearing in his third straight game, picked up the pitching victory.