TIFFIN – The No. 8 Heidelberg University baseball team jumped out to an early lead and coasted to an 11-6 victory over Wittenberg University on Tuesday. The win was the 30th of the season for the Student Princes, the ninth time since 2000 that HU has had 30+ wins.
Trevor Oldham and Derek Hug each had three hits on the day to lead the offense. Oldham's third inning triple was the 30th of the season for Heidelberg, which sets a new team record for three-baggers in a season. The previous mark, 29 triples, was set in 2009.
In the first inning, Joe Staab walked and scored on a double by Arneal Squibb. Alex Grove walked and moved to a run-scoring double by Hug. Heidelberg would add runs on a groundout by T.J. Harkness and a sacrifice fly by Eric Monroe.
Up 4-0, Heidelberg (30-7) added three more in the second. Oldham singled and moved to second when Staab was hit by a pitch. As Squibb batted, Oldham stole third. Two pitches later, Staab stole second and Oldham stole home on the throw to second. After a sacrifice fly, Hug put runners on the corners with an infield hit. The final run of the inning scored on an attempted double steal, where Hug intentionally got in a rundown to allow Squibb to score.
Wittenberg (10-26) brought in reliever Stu Haley after starter Dalton Boucher walked a pair in the third. Oldham greeted Haley with the record-setting triple to right center. Oldham scored on a groundout by Andrew Zenczak.
Chris Thomas started and looked sharp in three innings of work, picking up his seventh win of the season. Kyle Fluharty labored through his three innings, but only allowed one run on five hits.
In the late innings, Wittenberg began to rough up the Heidelberg bullpen, stroking nine hits in the eighth and ninth. Coupled with an error and three wild pitches, the Tigers scored four in the eighth and one in the ninth. Fortunately, the Student Prince lead was enough to withstand the surge.
"It's always good to get a win," said 15-year head coach Matt Palm. "But I think our focus and intensity wasn't there today."
The Student Princes will look to regain their focus on Wednesday as the College of Wooster visits Peaceful Valley. The regular season home finale will begin at 4 p.m.