Solid Contributions Lead to 'Berg Win at OWU

Solid contributions from an entire roster leads to victories in the scorebook and the Heidelberg College baseball team is a prime example. In a 14-3 non-conference win over host Ohio Wesleyan University the Berg relied on a solid performance on the mound from newcomer Jake Gossman (Westerville, Ohio / South) for six innings and its bullpen for the final three, while 16 different position players saw action. The victory improves Heidelberg to 10-4 on the year, while Ohio Wesleyan falls to 9-7.

Coming out of the gates, Gossman allowed two runners to reach base in the first inning. Heidelberg’s defense backed its pitcher, turning a double play, and Gossman struck out the Bishops number four batter to quiet the threat. In the second inning, the Bishops got one runner on base by virtue of a Heidelberg miscue with one out, but a strike out and a ground out ended the inning. Behind the arm of Gossman, Heidelberg went on to hold OWU to just three plate appearances in each of the next four innings.

After four innings Heidelberg built a 10-0 lead, highlighted by four runs apiece in the third and fourth innings. In the third, junior third baseman Tony Pawlowicz (Montpelier, Ohio / Montpelier) knocked in two runs on a single to center field and freshman shortstop Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) brought in two runs of his own on a single down the left side.

Leading off Heidelberg’s four-run fourth inning was back-to-back doubles from senior designated hitter Cody James (Belle Center, Ohio / Benjamin Logan) and junior first baseman Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick). Boytim’s double scored James and two batters later Jack Bault (Randolph, Ohio / Waterloo) connected for an RBI double of his own and rounded the bases to score on a Lash RBI single. Lash recorded the final ’Berg score of the inning on an Ohio Wesleyan error.

The Berg added three more runs in the sixth inning with two coming off the end of Lash’s bat. A Lash triple scored two runs and he would score on the next batter courtesy of an OWU fielding error. Heidelberg’s final run was plated in the seventh inning. OWU reached the scoreboard in the eighth inning with three runs of its own, but could not muster anything else in its final at bat.

Gossman threw 6.0 innings to earn the win and improve to 1-1 on the year. He gave up just two hits and no runs, while striking out a career-high eight batters. Coming out of the bullpen in relief in the Heidelberg victory was freshman Nate James (Rockport, Ind. / South Spencer) (1.0 inning / 0 hits / 2 strike outs), junior Bryan Hartman (Circleville, Ohio / Logan Elm) (1.0 inning / 0 hits / 3 runs) and freshman Blake Thornton (Olivet, Mich. / Olivet) (2.0 innings / 1 hits / 2 strike outs).

Heidelberg marked its second best offensive outing on the year, pounding 17 hits. Leading the way was Lash who went 3-for-4 with five RBI, two runs scored and a triple, while Cody James finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, an RBI and a double. Also finishing with multiple hits was Boytim (2-for-4), Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield) (2-for-4) and Matt Hille (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) (2-for-2).