There was no pomp, little circumstance and even less ceremony - just a quiet round of applause to open the Wittenberg baseball team’s traditional postgame meeting along the rightfield line following the Tigers’ 7-6 win over Muskingum on Thursday, April 13, at Carleton Davidson Stadium.

Head Coach Jay Lewis ’94 removed his cap in a gesture of respect and nodded to his players. Then he spoke briefly about the players’ performance against Muskingum and discussed the upcoming doubleheader with Oberlin - showing emotion only when contemplating the stretch run to the 2006 season.

Lewis had just won his school record-breaking 204th career game as the Tigers head coach, and while there was some personal satisfaction, Lewis was more concerned that his team had just broken a frustrating three-game losing streak. Sitting in a cramped office with his three assistant coaches after the game, Lewis was at a loss for words when asked to comment on the record.

“It feels good to be in such good company,” said Lewis, referring to the legendary Howard “Red” Maurer, who posted a career record of 203-126 from 1951-75 as the Tigers skipper.

“There have been so many great coaches in Wittenberg history, regardless of the sport, and I’m just proud to be among them.”

Lewis has a career record of 204-165-4 in 10 seasons as the Tigers’ head coach. A three-year starter at catcher for the Tigers from 1991-93, Lewis has led Wittenberg to winning records in seven of his first nine seasons at the helm. The Tigers have reached the four-team North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament four times.

— Ryan Maurer