'Berg Wins Second-Straight Extra Inning Contest

The nationally ranked Heidelberg University baseball team prides itself on never giving up and it has paid dividends over the course of the last two days. Today, at Peaceful Valley, the Berg posted a 6-5 victory in 11 innings over visiting Ohio Wesleyan University. The win is the sixth-consecutive by the Berg and is the second-straight extra inning victory in as many days.
 
Heidelberg’s come from behind win redeemed a 7-6 setback at OWU a week ago. Following the win the Berg improves to 17-5 overall and will resume Ohio Athletic Conference play on Saturday against visiting Otterbein College. Ohio Wesleyan evens its record to 10-10.
 
Ohio Wesleyan scored first and never trailed until the 11th inning. Following six innings, the visitors held a 5-2 advantage. After two and a half scoreless innings, Heidelberg took charge in the bottom of the ninth.
 
With one out, Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) was hit by a pitch to reach first. Taking over as a pinch runner for Brechun was Elvin Williams (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid). Following Brechun’s at bat L.B. Emrhein (Seven Hills, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) drew a walk and Williams eventually made it to third on a wild pitch. Jeremy Wentworth (Johnstown, Ohio / St. Charles) got the scoring starting with an RBI single to plate Williams. Two batters later, Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland) singled to left center to drive in the game-tying runs.
 
Ohio Wesleyan and Heidelberg both went three and out in the 10th. OWU managed to get four to the plate in the 11th, but left a runner stranded.
 
Emrhein led the Berg hitters in the 11th, leading off with a single down the left field line and Wentworth followed with a walk. Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) then stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball to right field to score Emrhein for the game-winning run.
 
Throwing the extra innings was sophomore right-hander Andy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll). He did not give up a hit and struck out two to earn the win on the mound. It is Lowe’s second win in three days. Setting the stage for Heidelberg’s come back was freshman right-hander Sylvester Nino (Willard, Ohio / Willard). Nino came in relief to throw four scoreless innings prior to Lowe. Nino struck out three and gave up just two hits.
 
Offensively, Heidelberg held a slim 12-11 advantage in hits on the day. Emrhein went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk to lead the way. Also picking up two hits apiece was Wentworth, Lash and Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick). Keen led the way with three RBI. Boytim picked up Heidelberg’s only extra base hit, a home run in the sixth inning.