Wittenberg Slugs Seven Home Runs to Sweep Oberlin, Clinch NCAC Tournament Berth

SPRINGFIELD, OH - Wittenberg's offense continued its historic pace on Tuesday, as the Tigers blasted seven home runs and scored 37 total runs in a doubleheader sweep of Oberlin. With the sweep, Wittenberg clinched a spot in the upcoming NCAC Tournament, marking the fifth straight season the Tigers have earned a postseason berth.

Wittenberg took game one 15-5 before closing the day with a dominant 22-4 victory in game two, showcasing why the Tigers continue to be regarded as one of the most explosive offenses in the nation.

Game 1: Wittenberg 15, Oberlin 5

Wittenberg got on the board first when Xander Rodriguez (Salinas, PR / Franklin County) drove in the opening run with an RBI single that dropped into shallow left field.

Oberlin answered in the third inning, capitalizing on an error and two walks before launching a grand slam to jump out to a 5-1 advantage.

The Tigers responded in the bottom of the fifth inning when James MacAuley (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI / Grosse Point North) and Alex Nemunaitis (Perrysburg, OH / Ottawa Hills) delivered back-to-back solo home runs to cut the deficit to 5-3 and ignite the Wittenberg dugout.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wittenberg fully swung momentum in its favor. Tommy Chilicki (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy) started the rally by ripping a first-pitch double, and Rodriguez followed with his team-leading 13th home run of the season to tie the game. Rodriguez currently ranks second in the NCAC in home runs and is now tied for second all-time in single-season home runs in program history.

MacAuley added an RBI single later in the inning as the Tigers plated five runs to take an 8-5 lead.

Wittenberg put the game away in the eighth inning, highlighted by a three-homer power surge. Charlie Marando (Dublin, OH / Scioto) hit his first home run of the season to extend the lead, followed by Nemunaitis' second home run of the game and a solo shot from Chilicki. Corbin Marshall (Doylestown, OH / Chippewa) capped the scoring with an RBI double as the Tigers secured the 15-5 win.

On the mound, Riley Kearns (Vermilion, OH / Vermilion) delivered 3.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit.

Game 2: Wittenberg 22, Oberlin 4

The Tigers carried their momentum into game two and wasted no time putting pressure on Oberlin, erupting for seven runs in the first inning while batting around the lineup.

Wittenberg continued its offensive surge in the second inning, scoring eight more runs, with the biggest blow coming from Chilicki, who launched a grand slam to help the Tigers build a commanding lead.

Wittenberg continued to pile on runs throughout the contest, with contributions coming from the entire lineup. Every starter reached base, and six Tigers recorded multi-hit performances in the victory.

Lucas Patrick (Delaware, OH / Olentangy Berlin) earned the start and worked four innings, allowing four hits and one run.

Milestones

• Rodriguez highlighted the record-setting day by breaking Wittenberg's single-season RBI record, while also moving into second all-time in career RBIs in program history.
• With two home runs in game one, Nemunaitis moved into fifth all-time in career home runs at Wittenberg. He also continues to extend his school record for career hit-by-pitches, adding two more on Tuesday.
• Wittenberg improves to 28-8 overall and 11-3 in NCAC play. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season on Saturday with a road doubleheader at Ohio Wesleyan.

Written By: Luke Thomas