Port Charlotte, Fla. – March 13, 2011 – The no. 1 ranked Heidelberg University baseball team worked together in the ninth inning to post a come from behind 8-5 victory over Carthage College at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Heidelberg was down 5-3 heading into its final at bat, but produced a four-hit, five-run inning to remain undefeated at 9-0 on the year. Carthage evens its record at 3-3. Heidelberg batted around in the inning en route to the win.
With one out, back-to-back walks set the stage for a hard hit two-RBI single up the middle by Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) to tie the ballgame. Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland) followed Monroe with a RBI single to left center for the eventual game-winning run.
Heidelberg added on two insurance runs off the bat of Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) and Derek Andrzejczak (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview).
Carthage had one last at bat, but Heidelberg closer Andy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll) and the defense behind him did not falter. Lowe stuck of the first two batters with seven pitches and the win was sealed with a ground out to second base.
The game opened with Carthage holding a 2-1 lead after one inning of play. Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo, Ohio / Roy C. Start) sent the first pitch of the game down the right field line for a triple and eventually gave Heidelberg its first run of the game on a sacrifice fly from Keen. In the bottom half of the inning Carthage had a RBI triple of its own that scored a run followed by a sacrifice fly to take over the scoreboard.
After two scoreless innings, Carthage went on to outscore the Berg 3-2 over the next four innings. Both sides were held scoreless in the eighth inning before the Heidelberg hitters stepped up to the plate in the ninth.
For the game, Heidelberg finished with 11 hits. Alex Monroe led the way with three hits, three runs batted in and two runs scored. He was hit by a pitch and had a double on the day. Finishing with two hits apiece was Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) and Jordan Martin (Powell, Ohio / Olentangy). Keen knocked in two runs and scored one of his own.
On the mound, Nathan James (Rockport, Ind. / South Spencer) got the start and had a no decision. He went 5.0 innings, giving up five hits, four runs, three earned, while striking out four. Branden Stucky (Medina, Ohio / Medina) came out of the bull pen to start the sixth and threw three innings of relief and picked up his first win on the mound for the year. He gave up just two hits, one earned run and struck out one. Lowe preserved his fourth win on the year. He did not allow a hit and had two strike outs.