Wentworth Knocks in Winning Run in Extra Innings

The Heidelberg University baseball team ended the month of March in the same fashion as it started it, in the win column. Heidelberg, the no. 10 ranked team in Division III according to D3baseball.com, posted a 7-6 win in 10 innings over NCAA Division II the University of Findlay today at Peaceful Valley. The win improves Heidelberg’s record to 16-5 and extends its winning streak to five, while the Oilers fall to 4-20.
 
The win came off an RBI single through the right side by Jeremy Wentworth (Johnstown, Ohio / St. Charles) with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning. Wentworth knocked in Matt Grassley (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North) who led the extra inning off with a double down the left field line.
 
Entering the game in relief with two outs in the sixth inning was freshman right-hander Elvin Williams (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid). When Williams entered the contest, the Berg was down 6-2. Williams and the Berg defense held its ground over the final 4.1 innings to keep the Oilers from sliding across home plate. Williams allowed just one hit, while striking out three to improve to 2-0 on the year.
 
Heidelberg held a slim 2-1 lead after five at bats, but Findlay bounced back and scored five runs in the sixth to take over the scoreboard. The Berg scored one in the bottom half of the inning to trail 6-3.
 
After a scoreless seventh, Heidelberg’s Ricky Lizcano (Toledo, Ohio / Roy C. Start) stepped in as a pinch hitter in the eight spot and hit his first career home run, a two-run shot to left center. Lizcano pulled the Berg within a run at 6-5.
 
Trailing by one, 6-5, heading into its final at bat, there was one out and Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland) and Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) were on the corners. Keen got a jump off of first base that initiated a throw by the catcher to second, and Lash stole home on the throw to force an eventual extra inning of play.
 
Heidelberg finished with 14 hits on the day, while the visitors were limited to nine. Finishing 3-for-5 at the plate was Wentworth, Keen and Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick). Wentworth, Keen and Lizcano each knocked in two runs apiece, while scoring once. Aside from Lizcano’s home run, Keen also picked up one, and L.B. Emrhein (Seven Hills, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) had a triple. Also registering an extra base hit was Wentworth and Grassley.
 
Heidelberg continues its two-game non-conference game hiatus tomorrow against visiting Ohio Wesleyan University. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.