TIFFIN, Ohio—The Heidelberg University baseball team swept a non-conference doubleheader from Case Western Reserve University today, winning the first game, 14-7, and the nightcap, 7-2, at Peaceful Valley in Tiffin, Ohio. The Student Princes and Spartans play tomorrow in University Circle to close the three-game series.
In the first game, CWRU (12-8) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Paul Pakan tripled in a run and Sam Alexander lofted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Pakan.
The Berg answered in the bottom half of the inning with three runs, thanks to a two-run triple by senior shortstop Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo/Start) and freshman third baseman Steve Kisan (Lakewood/St. Edward), who scored Lizcano by grounding out to third base.
The Student Princes used a pair of doubles and a pair of triples to tack on four more runs in the second to increase their lead to 6-2. Senior left fielder Ross Pruitt (Elletsville, Ind./Edgewood) drove in two runs and Lizcano scored Pruitt with his second triple of the day, chasing starting pitcher Bradley Potter from the game.
Potter lasted just 1.1 innings, allowed seven runs on seven hits and issued one walk.
Heidelberg plated two runs in the third inning and padded its lead to 13-3 in the fourth inning. Freshman first baseman Eric Monroe (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) pounded a two-run double to spark the rally and sophomore catcher Jordan Martin (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) and sophomore second baseman Joe Chiarappa (Clinton/St. Vincent-St. Mary) also drove in runs.
The Spartans scored runs in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings and two more in the ninth, including a solo home run by Pakan.
Lizcano scored again in the bottom of the seventh.
Chiarappa led the offensive attack with a 4-for-5 day, including a pair of doubles, with two RBI and two runs scored. Lizcano was 3-for-4, including a pair of triples, with three RBI and three runs. Pruitt was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and two runs.
Junior right handed pitcher Tyler Fruhwirth (Beavercreek) started and surrendered four runs on 12 hits in seven innings and improved to 3-1. He struck out four while walking two. Sophomore southpaw Karl Boedecker (Commerce Township, Mich./Walled Lake) allowed one run on one hit but recorded just one out. Junior righty Teddy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) closed the final 1.2 innings, allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one.
Bobby Marko and Paul Pakan each went 4-of-5 for Case at the plate, with Pakan falling a double short of hitting for the cycle. Pakan drove in two runs and scored two more, while Marko tallied a RBI and run.
Johnstone finished 2.2 innings of work after allowing six runs on seven hits. Cory Smith pitched the final four frames and gave up one run on three hits and struck out four.
In the second game, the Spartans broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly by Jordan Dauge.
Heidelberg rallied for five runs in its next turn at bat, scoring all five tallies with two outs. A RBI single by senior center fielder Elvin Williams (Euclid), a bases loaded walk by Monroe, a single by Martin that scored a pair of runs, and a RBI by Chiarappa, who reached on an error, gave the Berg a 5-1 lead.
CWRU plated a run in the eighth, but could not muster a rally in the ninth to avoid the sweep.
Chiarappa drove in a pair of insurance runs in the bottom eighth for good measure.
Sophomore righty Chris Thomas (Canton/Perry) started and pitched six innings, allowing just five hits and striking out four while walking three and improved to 1-2. Senior righty Sly Nino (Willard) worked the seventh, issuing two free passes in his first outing of the season after returning from an injury. Senior righty Daniel Brannum (Jamestown) pitched the eighth and ninth and allowed one run on one hit and recorded a pair of strike outs.
Andrew Frey was 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks and a run scored.
Edward Abramson started for Case and pitched the first 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits while striking out two and walking three. Alex Vinett gave up one run on one hit without recording an out in the sixth. A.J. Boshinski pitched the final 2.1 innings surrendering two runs on two hits and striking out three.
Heidelberg and CWRU will wrap their three-game series tomorrow at Nobby's Baseball Park in University Circle at 1 p.m.