Lance Dill

Karl Friedhoff

The Wittenberg University baseball team split four games over the weekend in the annual Wittenberg Baseball Classic. The Tigers came into the tourney with a modest four-game win streak built primarily on a powerful offense. In two games against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford on Friday and single games against Muskingum and Malone on Saturday, the Tigers proved they could win games in a variety of ways. Against Pitt-Bradford, Wittenberg won the opener in dramatic fashion. Senior outfielder Ryan Peters (London, Ohio/London),

In Friday's nightcap, the Tigers lost to Pitt-Bradford 6-5 despite a three-hit game from junior centerfielder Lance Dill (Bellville, Ohio/Clear Fork). Wittenberg nearly rallied from a 6-0 deficit but couldn't push across the tying run during sixth and seventh inning rallies.

On Saturday, Wittenberg dropped its first game against Muskingum 7-2. But in the final game of the day, the Tigers got a tremendous pitching performance from junior Brad Cerovac (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick), a five-hit, 10-strikeout, complete-game shutout victory over Malone. The win was preserved when freshman leftfielder Shawn Jarecki (Parma Heights, Ohio/Valley Forge) made a perfect throw to third base to record the final out of the game.

Next: vs. Wabash (March 31-April 1)

Softball (6-6, 0-0 NCAC)
Coach: Becky Hall (third season)
 
 

Christy Schneider

The Wittenberg softball team got back to the diamond on Saturday after two weeks out of action following a 5-5 Spring Break trip to Ft. Myers, Fla. The Tigers opened the home portion of the 2001 schedule with a split against Heidelberg on Saturday. Wittenberg took the first game, 4-3, thanks to some heads-up baserunning and solid pitching by freshman Carmen Montgomery (Springfield, Ohio/Southeastern). Junior shortstop Christy Schneider (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) scored on a double-steal attempt in the first inning, senior first baseman Carisa Clagg (Springfield, Ohio/Northwestern) made it home on a catcher's error after stealing third base in second inning, and freshman rightfielder/second baseman Kelly Riedel

(Springfield, Ohio/Northwestern) came around on a pair of passed balls in the third inning, and Montgomery scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.

In the nightcap, the Berg got a bases-clearing double in the sixth to break the game open. Clagg had a single and triple in the game to move her batting average to .483 on the young season. Montgomery leads the pitching staff with a 5-2 record and a 2.94 earned run average.

Next: vs. Capital (March 28)

Men's and Women's Track & Field
Coach: Steve Shutt (second season)

The Wittenberg track teams got their first taste of outdoor competition in 2001 last weekend and competed well as one of just two NCAA Division III schools at the non-scoring University of Indianapolis USTCA Midwest Challenge.

The biggest highlight for the men's team was provided by junior Chris Silliman (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who posted a school record in the hammer of 133 feet, six inches. The team's highest finish in the meet was a first place by freshman Michael Klotz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), who won the javelin throw in his first meet with the team. He posted a mark of 156-5, just less than six feet better than another Wittenberg newcomer, freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek), who was second.

The women's team got a first-place finish from its steadiest performer, sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont). She won the 1500 meters in a time of 5:00.8.
Wittenberg hosts the first of four spring events this Friday when the Wittenberg Invitational takes place on March 30. Coming up: the Wittenberg Quad April 12, the Wittenberg Open April 27 and the NCAC Heptathlon/Decathlon April 28-29.

Next: Wittenberg Invitational (March 30)

Men's Tennis (4-2, 0-0 NCAC)
Women'sTennis (5-5, 0-0 NCAC)
Coach: Dave Engle (fourth/fifth season)
 

Shannon Oliphant

The Wittenberg tennis teams return to action this weekend with important Saturday afternoon matches at the College of Wooster. Including last fall's matches, No. 1 women's singles player Erin Beach (Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia-Butler) has compiled a 9-5 overall record, while No. 2 singles player Shannon Oliphant (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) has put together an 8-5 mark. As a team, the Tigers' are 3-2 against Division III competition and 2-3 against everyone else, including Division I rivals Wright State and Dayton. Wittenberg's men's team is off to a 4-2 start, led by No. 1 singles player Bryan Heft

(Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln), who hasan 8-2 mark. Casey Clagett (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs) has compiled a 6-3 mark at No. 2 singles. Heft and Clagett have a 6-2 record at No. 1 doubles.

Next: Men/Women at Wooster (March 31)

Men's Lacrosse (1-2, 0-0 NCAC)
Coach: Vinnie Lang (first season)
 

Zach Kulow

The Tigers haven't played a game since a 16-0 whitewashing of Oberlin on March 17, but the program still has some news to report. Sophomore Zach Kulow (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), who scored six goals against Oberlin and leads the NCAC in scoring early in the season, was named Player of the Week. The Tigers will need his offense even more this week when they take on nationally ranked NCAC rival Denison on Tuesday.

Next: at Denison (March 27)

Women's Lacrosse (2-2, 0-0 NCAC)
Coach: Nancy Beck (14th season)
 

Jennie Stone

Kati Robbins

The Tigers return to action this week, nearly two weeks after dismantling St. Vincent on March 16 at Edwards-Maurer Field by a final score of 18-3. Senior Jennie Stone (Damascus, Md./Damascus) and senior Kati Robbins (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) rank among the NCAC leaders in scoring early in the season.

Next: at Earlham (March 29)

Golf
Coach: J.J. Searls (first season)

Three weeks after a Spring Break tune-up, the Wittenberg golf team will make its regular season debut under new coach J.J. Searls March 29-30 at the Muskingum Invitational. The Tigers, coming off a sixth-place finish in the NCAC a year ago, feature a very young team with five sophomores and two freshmen carrying the sticks this year.

Next: Muskingum Invitational (March 29-30)

Upcoming Tiger Sports Action:
For the week of March 26-April 1

Monday, March 26
Softball vs. Mt. St. Joseph (cancelled)
Men's Tennis vs. Dayton (postponed to April 4)

Tuesday, March 27
Men's Lacrosse @ Denison, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 28
Softball vs. Capital, 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 29
Golf @ Muskingum Invitational, All Day
Women's Lacrosse @ Earlham, 4 p.m.

Friday, March 30
Golf @ Muskingum Invitational, All Day
Men's and Women's Track & Field, Wittenberg Invitational, All Day

Saturday, March 31
Baseball vs. Wabash (DH), noon
Women's Tennis @ Wooster, noon
Men's Tennis @ Wooster, 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 1
Baseball vs. Wabash (9), 1 p.m.
Softball @ Thomas More, 1 p.m.
Women's Lacrosse @ Oberlin, 1 p.m.

* All softball games are doubleheaders.