Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | 13-Game Season Stats
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind.—The No. 24 Heidelberg University baseball team (D3baseball.com) wrapped up a three-game series at Manchester (Ind.) College today, splitting a doubleheader at James Gratz Baseball Field in North Manchester, Ind. Manchester took the first game, 10-4, but Heidelberg rallied in the nightcap to take a 15-4 rout.
Back-to-back doubles by senior left fielder Ross Pruitt (Elletsville, Ind./Edgewood) and senior first baseman Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo/Start) in the top of the first inning and two more runs in the second gave the Berg (7-6) a 3-0 lead.
The Spartans (6-6) tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the second after Dan Maringer scored on a wild pitch and Jordan Nieman hit a two-run home run.
Manchester added three runs in the third and another run in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead.
An RBI double by Lizcano in the fifth added a fourth tally, but insurance runs by the Spartans in the seventh and eighth sealed the victory.
Sophomore righty Chris Thomas (Canton/Perry) started and worked 5.2 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, while striking out four batters and walking five. Junior righty Teddy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) gave up one run over 1.1 innings and freshman right hander Travis Gray (Markle, Ind./Norwell) finished the game, surrendering two runs on three hits and walking one. Thomas fell to 0-2.
Lizcano was 4-for-5 five at the plate with two RBI and three doubles. Pruitt went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
In the second game, a two-RBI single by freshman catcher Alex Grove (Canal Fulton/Canton Central Catholic) in the second game gave Heidelberg a 2-1 lead.
The Student Princes sandwiched a one-run fifth inning with a combined 10 runs in the fourth and sixth innings and added two more tallies in the ninth to thwart a Manchester comeback. Lizcano and freshman first baseman Eric Monroe (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) homered.
Monroe was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and a run. Freshman designated hitter Trevor Oldham (Akron/Archbishop Hoban) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Pruitt was 2-for-5 with two runs. Lizacano drove in three.
Junior righty Tyler Fruhwirth (Beavercreek) started and pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out two. Senior righty Daniel Brannum (Jamestown/Greenview) struck out one over an inning and sophomore southpaw Karl Boedecker (Commerce Township, Mich./Walled Lake) allowed a run and struck out one in the final innings.
Heidelberg returns to the diamond Tuesday, March 20 for a non-conference game at Denison University at 6 p.m. The Student Princes will play their home opener the following day when they host Ohio Wesleyan University at Peaceful Valley at 4 p.m.