Quimby Leads Otterbein to Split, Lash Saves Heidelberg

Otterbein's John Quimby had a monster day at the plate

 

With temperatures in the 60s and plenty of sunshine it truly was a day for baseball. With the beautiful day that was Buckeye State Baseball was on hand for two Division III games, bringing you first-hand accounts of the action that took place on baseball diamonds in Central Ohio.

 

Where Chris was in Westerville taking in the Otterbein Cardinals season opener, Chad was in Delaware where the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops hosted the Heidelberg Student Princes. The collective three games would provide as grand a spectacle as the day was beautiful. Here’s Buckeye State Baseball’s account of the day that was in Ohio Division III Baseball.   

 

 

Otterbein 10, 15 Grove City College 16, 1

 

The Otterbein Cardinals opened their 2010 season from the friendly confines of Fishbaugh Field Wednesday afternoon, being hosts to Grove City of Pennsylvania for two seven-inning contests. The day had highs and lows showing this was a team outside in a live game for the first time, but also performing at times as if in mid-season form.

 

It would be Johnny Wholestaff on the mound for the Cardinals, seizing the weather-perfect day as a chance to get as many pitchers into a live game as possible. Though the results were not as desired, the goal of getting pitchers into the contest was certainly achieved even if in a fashion coach George Powell did not intend.

 

Corey White would be the starter for the home team and immediately struggled. A leadoff walk would be followed by a stolen base and a wild pitch to put Grove City 90 feet away from striking first. After a strikeout, a groundout to second would plate the run giving Otterbein an early 1-0 hole.

 

With the offense that the Cardinals have a one-run deficit is hardly reason for panic. First baseman Brian Hiscox would single in his first at-bat of the season and later score on an Adam Becker single, the DH in game one, to tie the game after one.

 

Grove City would pounce on White again in the second as a one-out single would be followed by a fielder’s choice, and back-to-back doubles to end the day for White. With Zach McGrain in from the pen Grove City tacked on one more RBI-single in taking a 5-1 lead.

 

Otterbein would again battle back as a one-out two-run shortstop John Quimby home run to right bring the Cardinals within two after two complete.

 

A scoreless third inning would give way to two more Grove City runs in the top for the 4th as the visitors had a commanding 7-3 lead.

 

As mentioned, no deficit is too big with the bats Otterbein brings to the plate. Hiscox would single to start the home-half of the sixth, steal second, and score on a right fielder Brandon Gessner’s single to right to make it a three-run game.

 

With Kyle Stull throwing his second scoreless inning of relief pitching, the stage was set for what would be a wild ending.

 

Down to their final six outs, that number would be shrunk to five as the Cardinals leadoff hitting flew out to left to start the bottom of the sixth. As the #8 hitter reached on error, and the #9 hitting reaching first via walk, the lineup turned over to perhaps the most dangerous leadoff hitter in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

 

With two aboard, the quick hands of Quimby pulled a pitch down the left-field line and over the fence for a game-tying three-run home run. 

 

Quimby is swarmed by his Cardinal teammates after his game-tying home run

 

The dramatics didn’t stop there. With a single by Wes Meadows and Gessner sandwiched by a Hiscox fly out, Becker caught enough of a fastball on the outside corner to send a ball over the right-field fence for Otterbein’s second three-run home run of the inning, putting the Cardinals in front 10-7.

 

Needing just three outs to secure the victory in their opener, the last three outs proved to be the hardest.

 

Dustin Reuter would relieve Stull and be relieved himself without recording an out. The inning started with a throwing error by Quimby which was followed by a single and a walk to load the bases with no outs. A second consecutive walk would bring a run home and end the outing for Reuter.

 

Aaron Eckert would be next in from the bullpen and find no more luck than his teammate. Three consecutive singles and a hit batter would halt Eckert’s first appearance of the season as the Cardinals now trailed 12-10 with still no outs recorded.

 

Matt Hopkins would continue the parade of pitchers and after a run-scoring wild pitch, two-RBI single, a strikeout was finally recorded for the first out of the inning. A sac fly would score another Grove City player.

 

With two down now, Dominic Poretta would strikeout the lone batter he face to end the horrific inning for Otterbein in which they yielded nine runs, hit two batters, had two wild pitches, a passed ball, and an error.

 

Unable to make a rally in the seventh the Cardinals fell in game one 16-10. Reuter would take the loss after allowing one hit and four runs in the seventh without recording an out. Quimby would go 3-for-5 with five RBI, and two home runs to lead the Cardinals. Hiscox and Gessner each recorded three hits.

 

Where game one could only be defined as ugly, game two was anything but.

 

While the Cardinals were unable to rally in the last inning, the home team quickly jumped in front in game two in a big way.

 

A 10 run first inning would set the tone for the nightcap and allow the Cardinals to cruise to a 15-1 victory.

 

The bottom of the first inning would be highlighted by two Quimby hits, including his third home run of the day, a three-run shot. A Hiscox two-run home run of his own, and a two-RBI single by catcher Matt Wilson.

 

 

Quimby would round third on a round-tripper four times on the memorable opening day

 

Where Otterbein struggled on the mound in the opener, four pitchers would be used in game two, a number that was matched in game one’s seventh inning a lone.

 

Travis Stephens toed the rubber as the contest’s start and finished with three scoreless innings, allowing just five hits while striking out one. John LaCorte would follow from the bullpen and allow a run off two hits in two innings of work. John Masin and Cory Beaver would each throw a scoreless inning in relief to close out the game.

 

Meanwhile at the plate the bats stayed hot for OC.

 

A Quimby solo shot in the third would make for home run number four on the day. That would be followed by a two-run RBI single in the fourth, and a two-RBI single in the sixth to end Quimby’s game with a 5-for-5, two home run, eight RBI game. In total, the career day would have the senior shortstop go 8-for-10, four home runs, a double, and 13 RBI. For some that would be a week, if not month’s work.

 

With Hiscox going 2-for-5 and Gessner having another three hit game, Otterbein slugged out 17 hits to put Grove City away.

 

LaCorte recorded the win as Otterbein evened their record before they travel to Delaware Thursday to take on Ohio Wesleyan.

 

 Heidelberg 8, Ohio Wesleyan 7

 

OWU's Mason Farr prepares to face the Berg in the decisive top of the 9th.

 

I’ll admit that I was getting pretty antsy. After all, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I hadn’t seen one inning of baseball yet.  Well apparently good things do come to those who wait.  I took the short trip up Route 23 to Delaware to watch Ohio Wesleyan host #3 Heidelberg in a 9 inning affair.  To say it was a perfect start to the season may be an understatement.       

My first game had a little bit of everything.  Perfect weather? Yep.  A chance to see some of the best arms in the Mideast region?  Check.  Great execution of the fundamentals?  Check.  A few long balls?  You bet.  Some late inning heroics?  Why not.       

In the end the Berg prevailed 8-7 on the strength of Jason Lash’s huge 3-run homer in the top of the ninth.  Andy Lowe notched the win going two scoreless innings in relief.       

When I arrived at Littick Field just before the first pitch I had no idea I was in store for not only a great game, but also a great chance for me as a writer to see more key players play than I could have hoped for.  In just a few short hours I not only got to see the big bats littering these lineups, but also Elvin Williams’ first start and appearances from closer Andy Lowe and OWU’s top two starters (Matt Struble and Mason Farr).       

Sophomore Robbie Shane started on the hill for Wesleyan.  The crafty righty navigated the first inning unscathed and his offense quickly gave him the lead.  Williams was touched up for 3 runs in the bottom of the first.  All three were plated on first baseman Tim Knezovich’s home run to centerfield.       

The Berg answered right back putting up a four spot in the top of the second.  The big hit came from Travis McClarney when he chased home Steve Decker and Alex Monroe with a single up the middle.       

Things were quiet until the bottom of the third when the Bishops loaded the bases with nobody out thanks to a couple of beautiful bunts.  Williams showed great poise striking out the next two batters before getting a line out to Lash at short to escape the jam.     

Both pitchers continued cruising along until Williams again ran into to trouble in the bottom of the fifth.  Walks to Zach Frentsos and Steve Ruygrok were sandwiched around a sharp single from Tim Knezovich.  This marked the end of the day on the mound for Williams as freshman Ethan Holt got the call from the pen.         

Unlike in the third, the Bishops would not come away empty handed this time.  Big singles from Nathan Strome (2 RBI) and Josh Gardner (RBI) put OWU back on top at 6-4 and closed the book on Williams (4 IP, 5 ER).       

The Berg put immediate pressure on Shane loading the bases with nobody out.  After surrendering singles to Lash and Monroe and issuing a free pass to Decker, Coach Mott had little choice but to lift his sophomore in favor of Matt Struble.  In what was one of the key innings of the game, Struble showed exactly why he’s at the top of the Bishop’s rotation.   

The big righty struck out McClarney and then got Jordan Martin to bounce into what ended up being an inning ending 6-4-3 twin killing.  Monroe was called for interference by the field umpire which then led to my first chance to see a good argument between a coach and umpire.  At this point in time I was sitting in the Berg stands and I feel confident in saying I was likely the only person entertained by the argument.         

Wesleyan added a single tally in the bottom of the frame when Frentsos scored on a ground ball from Ruygrok.  Frentsos had singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stolen third to set the table.     

Heidelberg loaded the bases with two down in the eighth.  They were aided by two more hit batsmen (a painful trend developing in Tiffin).  Struble was relieved by another of OWU’s top starters: Mason Farr.  The southpaw quickly got Martin to ground out to second to end the threat.       

Berg closer Andy Lowe entered for the bottom of the eighth and tossed a mostly uneventful inning facing four batters.  The only batter to reach was impressive freshman Zach Bott who singled for his third base knock of the day.     

The top of the ninth had more than it’s share of fireworks.  It set up perfectly.  The top of the Berg order against one of OWU’s best pitchers.  This matchup alone was worth the drive.   

Farr got the left handed hitting Williams to fly out to start the inning.  Ricky Lizcano then got a pitch to drive and sent it over center field wall cutting the Bishops’ lead to 7-5.  Down two, Gar Keen did the smart thing and wore a Farr pitch to bring the tying run to the plate on the heels of yet another HBP.  Cleanup hitter Willie Brechun singled to set the stage for Jason Lash.  The junior shortstop came through in a big way as his 3-run shot gave the Berg a 8-7 lead.       

Down one at home, the Bishops were not about to throw in the towel.  After a ground out, Eric Livingston singled to bring the winning run to the dish.  In fitting fashion the game’s final play was exciting (and a little chaotic).  Strome hit a ball back at Lowe.  It appeared everyone (umpires, runner, fielders) were unsure of whether Lowe caught the ball on the fly or the short hop.   

Livingston, freezing between first and second, eventually took off for second when it became clear the call was no catch.  Lowe had thrown the ball to first (presumably to double off Livingston in the case of a good catch ruling).  McClarney rifled the ball to Lash who tagged out Livingston for the game’s final out.  I know that sounds confusing, but trust me it was equally as confusing in person.       

Heidelberg will certainly take the win and Ohio Wesleyan, while certainly disappointed, had a lot of things to be positive about as well. 

Zach Frentsos gets ready to dig in against Andy Lowe.

There are three crucial things I took away from this game (besides a slight sun burn).  First, the Berg is as good as advertised.  They answered the bell every time they needed to.  And when the game was on the line one of their stars came through.  That’s what great teams do.      

Second, Ohio Wesleyan is very good.  Their win over Carthage and this game show us that they can play with anyone in the country.      

Third, these teams are very well coached.  I liked Tyler Mott’s demeanor with his younger players.  He’s very calm, very positive.  OWU also executed two perfect sacrifice bunts which is the sign of a coach who stresses fundamentals.      

Likewise, Elvin Williams laid down a perfect bunt for the Berg.  Matt Palm’s handling of a player/umpire situation late in the game also told me a lot about how he runs things.  Suffice to say he runs things the right way.      

Both teams were solid in the field and threw strikes.  The bottom line is that these are just two very good baseball teams.    

While today was unquestionably a great day to be a fan of DIII baseball, I can’t help but worry.  I’m afraid the combination of sunshine, quality teams and a great game will be hard to top.  The great thing is that I get to try to top it every weekend for the next two months.        

 

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