Wittenberg Baseball Falls To Bluffton

Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg University baseball was unable to hang on to the second game extra-inning win in the twin bill against Bluffton University on Sunday afternoon. The Tiger's baseball team fell to the Beavers in two games first by a final score of 7-5, before going down in the second game 5-4 in 11 innings. Matching the Beavers with eight hits each in the first game, the Tigers finished game two with nine hits in the second nine-inning game.

GAME ONE

Wittenberg matched the Beavers three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, coming back to knot things up at 3-3. A Hayden Knox single down the right-field line scored Patrick Kenny to start the Tiger scoring rally in the fourth. Ryan Probst laced a shot up the middle to bring home the second run, scoring Jack Hollinshead. Capping off the exciting fourth inning, Gabe Stacy reached on the fielder's choice leaving the Bluffton defense without an out and Knox coming around to score. Wittenberg would take the lead in the sixth inning, starting with the Matt Baker single to left to bring around David Hamrick. Adding to the Tiger lead, Baker would come around and score from second later in the inning advancing on the Bluffton wild pitch. Tanner Griggs got the start for the Tigers, tossing seven and two-thirds, allowing five and striking out seven. Brandon Beegle came on for the four outs of the game, facing 10 Bluffton batters with three hits allowed and striking out two.

GAME TWO

The Tiger's found themselves battling from behind in game two with Bluffton managing a 4-0 lead after five innings of action. Wittenberg sparked their offense in the seventh inning with Baker lacing a two-RBI triple into the outfield, bringing home Gage Carpenter and Jordan Jolly home to score. The Tiger's continued the offense into the eighth inning, starting with a Tim Bates double. Ryan Probst stepped up with two outs, sending a two-run homer over the left field fence to bring the game back to even at 4-4. The Wittenberg pitching staff held Bluffton scoreless since the fifth inning, including Jace Barga tossing four and a third with six hits and six strikeouts. Adam Mays come on to face 15 Bluffton batters giving up three hits and striking out five. The final two Wittenberg pitchers, Andrew Goodpaster and Michael Martin went for a combined three and a third, giving up four hits and fanning four.