PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.—The Heidelberg University baseball team opened the 2012 season today, falling to Moravian (Pa.) College, 5-2, today at the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Both teams moved quietly through the first three innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, a one out walk opened the gate for three Moravian runs.
Heidelberg countered in the bottom half of the inning with a pair of runs, as an error and a walk put two runners on base for sophomore left fielder Ben Blystone (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg), who capitalized with a single, scoring freshman first baseman Steve Morse (Scottsdale, Ariz./St. Mary’s). Freshman catcher Alex Grove (Canal Fulton/Canton Central Catholic) followed with a single, scoring senior shortstop Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo/Start).
Moravian put up insurance runs in the sixth and ninth and Heidelberg was retired in order in the bottom of the ninth.
Freshman righthanded pitcher Ryan Minteer (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) started on the mound, working six innings and surrendering six hits and four runs, two earned. He registered two strikeouts in his first collegiate start. Senior southpaw Ross Pruitt (Elletsville, Ind./Edgewood) worked the seventh and eighth innings, while senior righty Daniel Brannum (Jamestown/Greeneview) finished out the ninth.
At the plate, Grove and Morse each went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The Student Princes next play Monday, March 5 when they face Medaille (N.Y.) College at 3 p.m. at the Snowbird Baseball Classic.