Tiffin, Ohio – April 13, 2010 – The no. 4 ranked Heidelberg University baseball team overcame the chill of the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern University today at Peaceful Valley. The Berg swept a doubleheader with ONU, winning game one 6-2 and game two 7-3.
The win improves Heidelberg, and 11th year head coach Matt Palm, to 23-4 overall and 4-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while ONU falls to 16-7, 4-2.
In game one, Heidelberg broke open a tied ballgame with a four-run sixth inning. The Berg went up 3-2 on an RBI triple by Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield).Derek Andrzejczak (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania-Northview) followed with an RBI single to plate Decker. Pinch runner Kory Gainey (Saline, Mich. / Saline) rounded the bases and would score on a sacrifice fly from Elvin Williams (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid). Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) scored the final ’Berg run of the inning off a hard hit back to the pitcher by Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo, Ohio / Roy C. Start).
Five ’Berg players picked up a hit in the win. Leading the way was Lash going 2-for-3. Finishing with a hit apiece was Lizcano, Decker, Andrzejczak and Monroe.
Earning the start and going 6.0 innings was freshman right-hander Ethan Holt (Galion, Ohio / West Holmes). Holt gave up six hits, while striking out two to improve to 6-1 on the year.
In the nightcap, Ohio Northern scored first with a run in its first at bat when Brett Katana was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The visitors extended its advantage to two runs in the third off a Heidelberg miscue.
In the fourth, with two on, Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic)put the Berg on the scoreboard with a single through the left side. Brechun knocked in Williams, who led the inning off with a walk. Two batters later, and with the bases loaded, Decker found an opening on the left side to tie the game at 2-2. Scoring on the play wasGar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland). Andrzejczak ripped a single through the middle of the infield to knock in Brechun and put the Berg up 3-2.
Heidelberg closed out the inning with three more runs to hold a 6-2 advantage. Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) scored on a wild pitch, followed by a Monroe sacrifice fly to score Decker. Closing out the scoring was an RBI single by Andrew Buelow (Marysville, Mich. / Marysville) to plate Andrzejczak.
Smart base running by Lash in the sixth extended Heidelberg’s lead to 7-2. Lash took off from second on a fielder’s choice by Andrzejczak and an errant throw by ONU’s shortstop gave Heidelberg an unearned run.
ONU closed out the scoring in the ninth to push the final score to 7-3.
Heidelberg finished with eight hits in the win. From his leadoff spot Williams finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Picking up a hit apiece was Brecun, Decker, Andrzejczak, Monroe and Buelow.
Brian Koehl (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania-Northview) got the start and threw a two-hitter over 7.0 innings to get the win. He struck out eight in the process. He allowed two runs, one earned, to improve to 4-0.