COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 12 Heidelberg University baseball team swept a doubleheader at Capital University on Wednesday, 6-1 and 14-5. The wins were highlighted by a pair of complete games by Kyle Fluharty and Adam Manner.
Fluharty (4-0), the starter in game one, allowed one run on six hits. The sophomore struck out a career-high nine Crusaders.
In the nightcap, Manner (4-2) allowed five runs on ten hits and induced four double plays.
"Our starting pitching today was outstanding. To get two complete games in a day is never expected," said head coach Matt Palm. "Both guys pitched extremely well."
Heidelberg (22-4, 7-1 OAC) got off to a fast start in game one by plating a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first. Arneal Squibb reached on a fielding error by the second baseman and scored on a triple to right center field by Steven Morse. Morse scored when Derek Hug reached on a throwing error by the shortstop.
Capital (11-11, 2-6 OAC) scored its only run off Fluharty in the bottom of the first. Nate Campbell led off with a double to left and scored on a single by Taylor Branisel.
The Student Princes regained their two-run lead in the top of the second. Trevor Oldham walked and moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Andrew Zenczak, Oldham scored on a sacrifice fly by Joe Staab.
Capital starter Robert Fravel retired seven straight in the middle innings until running into trouble in the sixth. Hug and Alex Grove singled to start the frame, putting runners on first and third. T.J. Harkness drove in Hug with a groundout to second. Adam Hershberger followed with a single, chasing Grove to third. Following a foul out, Hershberger stole second and Grove scored on the throw. Hershberger later scored on a single to center by Zenczak.
The 6-1 lead was more than enough for Fluharty, who only allowed two baserunners after the fifth inning.
"Kyle ran into some trouble early but worked through it," said Palm. "He really settled in down the stretch."
Capital touched up Adam Manner for a run in the bottom of the first inning of game two. After a pair of base hits and a wild pitch, Ryan Pearson hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Campbell.
The Berg tied up the contest in the top of the second. Hug singled and moved to third on a double to right by Grove. An RBI single from Harkness plated Hug. Capital starter Jeremy Finchum limited the damage by getting a pop up and a double play to keep the score tied at one.
In the third, the Tricolor used five hits to score four runs. Zenczak singled and moved to second on a groundout by Staab. Squibb singled home Zenczak and moved to third on a basehit by Morse. After Hug drew a walk to load the bases, Grove hit a sacrifice fly to center. Harkness added an RBI single, scoring Morse. A double by Eric Monroe drove in Hug to give HU a 5-1 lead.
After Capital scored a run on a bases loaded double play, Heidelberg scored three more times in the top of the fourth. Staab ignited the rally with a one-out single to center. Squibb was hit by a pitch, pushing Staab to second. He would score on a single by Morse. Squibb stole third and scored on a single by Grove. Morse later scored on a wild pitch.
Heidelberg padded their lead with four more runs in the top of the fifth. Hershberger singled and moved to third on a bunt single by Zenczak. Hershberger scored and Zenczak stole second and moved to third on an errant throw on a delayed double steal. Staab drew a walk before Squibb hit an RBI single through the right side. Later, Hug hit an RBI groundout to score Staab, giving HU a 12-2 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Crusaders scored three runs off of Manner, highlighted by a two-run homer by Branisel.
The Student Princes scored a pair in the seventh to take a 14-5 lead and cruised to victory.
Hug and Harkness each rapped four hits on the afternoon. Harkness drove in four and Grove knocked in three.
Heidelberg remains in tied with John Carroll atop the Ohio Athletic Conference. The next four games for the Student Princes are against third-place Marietta and the aforementioned Blue Streaks, and all will take place at Peaceful Valley.
Saturday's twinbill against the Pioneers comes as part of Heidelberg's D3 Week celebration and kicks off HU baseball's Alumni Weekend. A plethora of freebies will be given out during the contest and a sack-race, sponsored by Heidelberg SAAC, will be held between games.
The first game against Marietta will begin at 1 p.m.