Execution in the Ninth Sends 'Berg to Regional Championship Game

Facing elimination from the 2008 NCAA Mideast Regional the Heidelberg College baseball team executed in its final at bat to send the team to the regional championship game for the first time in the history of the program. Heidelberg topped fellow nationally-ranked foe the College of Wooster 1-0.
 
The bases were loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning when sophomore catcher Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield) stepped to the plate. A hard hit ball to the shortstop, allowed Willie Brechun (Clinton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) to slide into second safely and break up the play, all while Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) crossed home plate for the game-winning run.
 
The victory will pit Heidelberg, the No. 1 seed in the six-team regional, against No. 5 seeded Adrian College tomorrow (May 17) at noon. The Berg is heading into the championship game from the loser’s bracket following a 4-1 setback to Adrian prior to its game with Wooster, therefore the Berg is faced with having to top Adrian in two-straight games to earn a spot at the NCAA Championships in Appleton, Wisc. May 23-28.
 
For the year, Heidelberg continued to extend its season record for wins, which now stands at 40 compared to just eight setbacks. The Fighting Scots conclude its season at 36-11.
 
Aside from its final at bat, Heidelberg’s victory was spearheaded by the right-arm of sophomore pitcher Everett Thomas (Evansville, Ind. / Harrison). Thomas worked with Decker to keep the Wooster hitters at bay through the entire contest. He threw a complete game two-hit shutout. Along the way he struck out three batters, while walking four. It is Thomas’ second shutout on the year and he improves to 8-1 with the win.
 
The entire contest consisted of solid play from both sides, as not one error occurred on the field. Heidelberg finished the game with seven hits off of Wooster ace Adam Samson. Leading the way with a 3-for-4 outing was Jeremy Wentworth (Johnstown, Ohio / St. Charles). Also picking up a hit on the night was Gar Keen (Fredericktown, Ohio / Highland), Lash, Decker and Matt Grassley (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North). Grassley finished with the lone extra base hit for Heidelberg. He connected for a double down the left field line in the seventh inning to move atop the single season record book for doubles. He currently has 21 on the year, which tops the mark of 20 set by Jon Hatfield in 2005.