Tigers Fall in Doubleheader to Christopher Newport After Taking Series Opener

Newport News, VA – After earning an impressive win over nationally ranked Christopher Newport Captains on Friday, the Wittenberg Tigers were unable to keep the momentum going Saturday, dropping both games of a doubleheader to the Captains. Christopher Newport won the opener in extra innings, 9–8, before completing the sweep with a 16–0 win in game two.

Game 1 – Christopher Newport 9, Wittenberg 8 (10 innings)

Wittenberg battled throughout the opener and appeared poised to secure another win over the Captains before Christopher Newport rallied late to force extras and eventually walk it off in the 10th inning.

The Tigers fell behind early, trailing 2–0 before erupting for a big fifth inning to swing the momentum. Wade Thewes (Parker, CO / Lutheran) drew a walk to start the rally and George Janzen (West Chester, OH / Roger Bacon) followed with a single. Landon Turner (Tipp City, OH / Tippecanoe) then delivered an RBI single to put Wittenberg on the board before Tommy Chilicki (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy) launched a grand slam to give the Tigers a 6–2 advantage.

Wittenberg added another run in the seventh inning when Janzen singled and Turner doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Alex Nemunaitis (Perrysburg, OH / Ottawa Hills) followed with an RBI single to extend the lead.

Christopher Newport responded in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs to even the game before adding another run in the eighth to briefly take the lead. The back-and-forth contest went to extra innings, where the Captains secured the win with a squeeze play in the 10th inning.

Andrew Rust (Dublin, OH / Coffman) delivered a solid start on the mound for Wittenberg, pitching 4.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs.

Game 2 – Christopher Newport 16, Wittenberg 0 (7 innings) 

The second game proved more challenging for the Tigers as Christopher Newport jumped out to a quick lead and controlled the game throughout.

The Captains scored six runs in the first inning and continued to build their advantage, while Wittenberg struggled to generate offense. The Tigers finished with four hits in the contest but were unable to push a run across the plate.

 Despite the losses, several Tigers contributed offensively during the doubleheader. Turner led Wittenberg with three hits on the day, while Chilicki recorded two hits including his grand slam in game one. Janzen also finished with two hits.

Wittenberg will look to regroup tomorrow with a game against Hampton-Sydney at 12:00 p.m.

Written by: Luke Thomas