GRANVILLE, Ohio—The Heidelberg University baseball team batted around in the ninth inning and rallied for five runs to beat Denison University, 9-6, tonight in a non-conference game at Big Red Baseball Field in Granville, Ohio. A game-tying two-run single by senior outfielder Ross Pruitt (Elletsville, Ind./Edgewood) and a go-ahead, bases-loaded walk by sophomore right fielder Arneal Squibb (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka) in the final frame proved clutch.
Trailing, 6-4, going into the top of the ninth inning, Heidelberg (8-6) loaded the bases with one out for Pruitt, who put a two-run single into right field to tie the game, chasing starter Tyler Vaske from the mound. Relief pitcher Philip Seay intentionally walked senior shortstop Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo/Start) to load the bases again. Squibb drew a bases loaded walk, a run batted-in single by freshman third baseman Steve Kisan (Lakewood/St. Edward), and a sacrifice fly by sophomore left fielder Ben Blystone (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) that scored Lizcano gave Heidelberg a three-run lead for senior righty Daniel Brannum (Jamestown/Greenview) to work with in the bottom of the ninth.
Brannum struck out three batters in the ninth to preserve the victory.
A run batted-in single by Kyle Clemmenson and a sacrifice fly by Justin Vaske off freshman right handed pitcher Bryan Peters (Cuyahoga Falls/Woodridge) in the bottom of the first inning put Denison (5-8) ahead, 2-0.
Heidelberg got on the board in the fourth when senior center fielder Elvin Williams (Euclid) lined a one-out double to right field and a single to left field by freshman first baseman Eric Monroe (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) scored Williams.
The Berg then tacked on three more runs in the fifth for a 4-2 lead. Sophomore second baseman Joe Chiarappa (Clinton/St. Vincent-St. Mary's) led off the inning with a double and a bunt single by Pruitt and a walk by Lizcano loaded the bases for Squibb, who singled home Chiarappa and Pruitt. Lizcano later scored on a double play ball to the right side.
Denison plated another run in the bottom of the fifth, but Peters got himself out of a jam by picking off Andrew Mahle to end the inning. Evan Nicholson led off the sixth inning for the Big Red with a single, chasing Peters from the game. Denison continued the rally off of junior righty Teddy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll), who allowed three runs before being relieved by Brannum, who worked out of the inning by stranding two runners.
Chiarappa, Pruitt and Monroe each had two hits and Squibb knocked in a trio of runs to lead the Berg at the plate. Pruitt also had two RBI.
Peters started and pitched five-plus, surrendering four runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking two. Lowe pitched 0.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Brannum recorded the last 10 outs without allowing a run while striking out five and earned the win.
Tyler Vaske pitched 8.1 innings for Denison, allowing eight runs on nine hits and fanned three.
The Student Princes return to the diamond tomorrow for a 4 p.m. game with non-conference opponent Ohio Wesleyan University at Peaceful Valley in Tiffin. OWU shutout the Berg, 7-0, earlier this season.