Heidelberg Sweeps Doubleheader at Piedmont

The nationally ranked Heidelberg University baseball team swept a doubleheader at Piedmont College on Thursday. The victories improve the Berg to 10-2 overall, while Piedmont stands at 9-9.
 
In game one, David Paddock (Westerville, Ohio / North) threw a complete game to earn the shutout victory. Paddock gave up just seven hits in nine innings, while striking out six. He currently boasts an overall record of 3-0 for the year.
 
With two outs in the second inning, junior catcher Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield) singled to score Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) for what would prove to be the eventual game-winning run. Lash reached the base paths on a walk.
 
In the night cap, Heidelberg plated three runs in the top of the third to take control of the scoreboard, but Piedmont battled back to knot the game in the bottom half of the fourth. The Berg responded in its next at bat with two outs. Decker once again stepped up at the plate. He singled to knock in Travis McClarney (Mt. Vernon, Ind. / Reitz) for the game-winning run.
 
On the mound, Brian Koehl (Slyvania, Ohio / Slyvania Northview) pitched 2.1 innings of relief to pick up the win. Koehl gave up three hits and one earned run, while striking out three. The win improves Koehl to 2-1 on the year. Throwing the final 2.2 innings was closer Andy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll). Lowe struck out two and gave up one hit to preserve his second win on the year.
 
For the day, Decker led the offense going 5-for-7 with three RBI and a run scored. Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) picked up four hits in the two games, as did Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic).
 
Heidelberg opens up its Ohio potion of its schedule at Bluffton University March 17. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.