Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Ohio Northern

The Heidelberg College baseball team had its seven-game winning streak snapped with a 4-1 setback to Ohio Northern University in game one of an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader. The Berg however got back on the winning track in the nightcap, taking home an 11-7 victory. For the year Heidelberg stands at 23-6 overall and 9-3 in the OAC, while Ohio Northern is 12-18 overall and 4-6 versus league foes.

Heidelberg had to overcome a 5-3 deficit through five innings in game two to earn the split. Heidelberg plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of two Ohio Northern miscues. Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) had an RBI single to left field to knock in Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville), who reached on an error. Heidelberg’s second run came off a Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield) sacrifice fly that scored Derek Andrzejczak (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview).

Ohio Northern and Heidelberg each traded two runs apiece in the seventh. Then Heidelberg’s defense held the Polar Bears scoreless in the top half of the eighth before scoring four runs of its own to earn the 11-7 win. With two on Andrew Buelow (Marysville, Mich. / Marysville) connected for a single up the middle to knock in a run and two batters later Matt Grassley (Grosse Point Woods, Mich. / Gross Pointe North) pinch hit and had a two run double to right field. Grassley eventually rounded the bases and scored on an Andrzejczak single up the middle.

Throwing the final two innings in relief was Steve Calevro (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg). Calevro entered the contest with the game tied 7-7 and allowed just one hit and struck out two to pick up his third win on the year.

Leading the way at the plate in game two was Jeremy Wentworth (Johnstown, Ohio / St. Charles), who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Also picking up multiple hits was Buelow, Gar Keen (Fredericktown, Ohio / Highland) and Monroe. Keen knocked in a team-leading three runs.

In the opening game Ohio Northern scored in its first at bat on a bases loaded walk. Heidelberg finally reached the scoreboard on a Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) double in the fourth inning. Ohio Northern went on to hold the Berg scoreless through the remainder of the game for the 4-1 win. The Polar Bears added a run in the sixth and connected for a two-run home run in the seventh.

Suffering the loss on the mound in game one was Jake Gossman (Westerville, Ohio / South). Gossman threw 6.0 innings and gave up four hits, two earned runs, while striking out seven.

Offensively Heidelberg connected for just six hits led by Lash’s two. Lash scored the lone Heidelberg run on the day.

Heidelberg will return to action in a non-conference game with Bluffton University tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m. at Peaceful Valley.