'Berg Posts Third Straight Win to Open Season

The Heidelberg University baseball team improved its record at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. to 3-0 with a 9-0 victory over Eastern Mennonite University today, March 3. The Royals stand at 4-7-1 overall following the setback.
 
The game featured a pitcher’s duel between Heidelberg’s Everett Thomas (Evansville, Ind. / Harrison) and EMU’s Pat Crowe through the first five innings of the game. Thomas struck out five Royals’ hitters, while allowing just three hits, and Crowe allowed just four ’Berg hits and struck out four.
 
With a scoreless game heading into the sixth, EMU threatened in the top half of the inning, but the Berg defense backed Thomas’ effort and left two EMU runners on the base paths. In the bottom half of the inning Heidelberg’s backs came alive.
 
The Berg plated six runs on four hits and one EMU miscue to jump ahead 6-0. Jeremy Wentworth (Jamestown, Ohio / St. Charles) led things off with a single and would cross home plate on an RBI single from Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland) two batters later. Knocking in two runs apiece in the inning was Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) with a double to left field and Travis McClarney (Mt. Vernon, Ind. / Reitz) with a single through the left side. The Berg added its sixth run courtesy of L.B. Emrhein (Seven Hills, Ohio / Padua Franciscan). Emrhein pinch ran for McClarney and scored on an EMU attempt to catch Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) stealing second.
 
Heidelberg added two more runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to bring the final score to 9-0.
 
Thomas threw seven complete innings and earned his first victory on the year. He gave up just five hits, while striking out five. Coming in from the bullpen was freshman Eric Biggs (Dayton, Ohio / Dayton Christian). Biggs pitched the final two innings and struck out three, while allowing just one hit.
 
Offensively the Berg recorded 11 hits on the day with Wentworth leading the way with three. Adding two hits apiece was Keen, Monroe and McClarney. Monroe knocked in a team-best three runs, while scoring two of his own, along with Emrhein.
 
Action continues for the Berg at the Snowbird Classic tomorrow with a 1:30 p.m. contest with Bluffton University. Fans can follow the action at www.heidelberg.edu/statcrew/mbb/xlive.htm.