Nemunaitis Hits for the Cycle in Season Opener as Wittenberg’s Bats Erupt
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 21 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
RICHMOND, KY – The 2026 season opened in unforgettable fashion for Wittenberg Baseball, powered by a historic day at the plate from Alex Nemunaitis (Perrysburg, OH / Ottawa Hills) and a complete offensive performance that saw every starter record a hit.
Wittenberg struck first in the opening inning when Quintin Applegate (Delaware, OH / Olentangy Berlin) got things going with a two-run inside-the-park home run. The early surge set the tone for an evening defined by extra base power.
The defining moment came in the fourth inning. Trailing 6-4, Cam Gladden (Galena, OH / Big Walnut) ignited the rally with a leadoff double. Nemunaitis followed with a double of his own, and then Xander Rodriguez (Salinas, PR / Franklin County) launched a three-run home run to swing momentum in the Tigers' favor. Wittenberg kept its foot on the gas as Jalen Williams (Catonsville, MD / Western Tech) and Daniel Gladden (Galena, OH / Olentangy Berlin) each doubled later in the inning stretching the lead to 10-6 after four.
Nemunaitis delivered a season-opening performance for the record books, hitting for the cycle while blasting two home runs, driving in six runs, and drawing a walk. James MacAuley (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI / Grosse Point North) contributed four hits, while three additional Tigers recorded multi-hit games. Wittenberg racked up four home runs, eight doubles, and one triple on the night.
On the mound, Gage Miller (Dayton, OH / Twin Valley South) changed the course of the game. Entering in a difficult spot in the second inning, Miller got out of it with a critical double play to escape trouble before settling into a dominant stretch. He went 6.2 innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run to earn the win and anchor the Tigers' pitching effort.
Behind Nemunaitis' historic cycle and a game changing fourth inning that flipped the momentum for good, Wittenberg turned its season opener into a statement performance. The Tigers' relentless offense, highlighted by contributions from every starter, paired with Miller's dominant relief outing, secured an impressive first win of the 2026 season.
The Tigers return to action tomorrow with games at 4 and 7 p.m. against Berea and Kalamazoo.
Written by: Luke Thomas