Port Charlotte, Fla. – March 13, 2011 – The nationally ranked Heidelberg University baseball team extended its record to 8-0 with two victories Sunday, March 13, at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Berg opened the day with a 5-2 win over Montclair State University and returned to post a 15-5 victory over Utica College.
Heidelberg, under the guidance of 12th-year head coach Matt Palm, has two more games remaining on its slate during its annual spring break trip to Florida. The Berg will face Carthage College tomorrow, March 14, before squaring off with Plattsburgh State University on Tuesday.
#1 Heidelberg 5, Montclair State 2
Top-ranked Heidelberg found a way to win in game one on the day. Heidelberg pounded nine of its 12 hits in the final six innings to erase a 2-0 deficit en route to a 5-2 victory over Montclair State.
Montclair State plated a run in the fourth and the fifth before Heidelberg cut its deficit in half with a run in the sixth. The Berg scored four runs off of five hits in the eighth inning to take control of the ballgame. Andrew Buelow (Marysville, Mich. / Marysville) had a RBI single to left field to score the eventual game-winning run.
Leading the way at the plate was Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) with a 4-for-5 outing. Also recording multiple hits was Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville).
Brian Koehl (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview) picked up his second win on the mound in as many starts. He went 7.0 innings and allowed just five hits, while striking out six with two earned runs. Andy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll) preserved his third win on the year after going the final two innings. He did not give up a hit and struck out two.
#1 Heidelberg 15, Utica 5
In game two on the day, Utica scored first, but the Berg once again found its way back on top. Heidelberg answered with four runs in the bottom of the first to take control of the game.
After two scoreless innings on both sides Heidelberg extended its lead to five runs at 6-1 after four innings of play.
The Pioneers turned up the pressure in the sixth, pulling within two, 6-4, with three runs off of three hits. Heidelberg's hitters did not falter and returned in the bottom half of the inning to back up its starter on the mound with six runs off of seven hits to push its lead to 12-4.
Heidelberg outscored Utica 3-1 over the final three innings to close out the game with a 15-5 victory.
Sophomore Tyler Fruhwirth (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek) earned his first start on the mound and threw a six-hitter over five innings. He struck out four and gave up four runs to pick up his first collegiate win.
At the plate, Heidelberg registered 18 hits. Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo, Ohio / Roy C. Start) was a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs scored, a run batted in and three runs scored. Finishing 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI was Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston). Lash also went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Sharing the team-lead with Lash with three RBI was Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland).