MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Wittenberg Baseball cruised to an early morning win over Bridgewater State, 2-0, in Game 2 of their Spring Break slate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but couldn't keep the momentum going in the day's second game, falling to Ursinus, 7-1. Both games were played at the field named for the fabled Polo Grounds as part of the Ripken Experience.
In the first game of the day, the Tigers faced a young team in Bridgewater State. Starting on the mound for the Tigers was junior Andrew Rust (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman), and he tossed five shutout innings, allowing three hits, while striking out an astounding seven. Rust was also credited with the win to move to 2-0 on the year. Both freshman Wade Thewes (Parker, CO/Lutheran) and senior Charlie Schafer (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek) came in relief, and Schafer was awarded with the save in the game, already his third of the year. Tiger Pitching has been a bright spot this year, as the team has pitched to a 2.73 team ERA so far.
Tiger batters produced in this game as well, as the team accounted for nine hits and one walk. Some batters who excelled included graduate student Luke Thomas (Tallmadge, OH/Tallmadge) and senior Rocco Royer (Lake Bluff, IL/Lake Forest). Both Thomas and Royer went 2-for-3 at the plate. One of those hits by Thomas drove in a run, and junior Tommy Chilicki (Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy) drove in the other run with a sacrifice fly. The Tigers also stole three bases on the day, all by different players.
Later in the day, Wittenberg took on a strong Ursinus side and came out on the wrong end of a 7-1 decision. The start of the game looked like a pitching duel as junior Mikey Eickhoff (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St.Mary) started out on the mound for the Tigers while seniors Kyle Mahon (Dayton, OH/Centerville), Charlie Schafer (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek), and Owen Treece (Van Wert, OH/Van Wert) came in relief. The Tiger relievers went five innings, allowing seven hits, but added on with seven strikeouts. Eickhoff was credited with the loss and that puts him to 0-2 on the young season.
Tiger batters showed a keen eye at the plate as the team combined for nine hits and two walks, but timely hits were an issue as Wittenberg stranded 11 runners. Highlighted players include graduate student Parker Gryskevich (Brownsburg, IN/Brownsburg), who went 2-for-3 at the plate, and sophomore Thatcher Dietz (Westerville, OH/Westerville South), who went 3-for-4. Freshman Zach Meyer (Powell, OH/ Olentangy Liberty) drove in the Tigers' only run.
With the split, the Tigers are now 6-3 on the season. Bridgewater State is now 0-4, and Ursinus is now 7-3.
Written By: Ben Glassman '28