TIFFIN – For the first time in his collegiate career, freshman Derek Hendrixson pitched in both halves of a doubleheader. In doing so, the Centerville native picked up a save and a win as the Heidelberg University baseball team swept Muskingum University in an OAC doubleheader. The No. 23 Student Princes won 7-3 and 7-2 to improve to 17-4, 3-1 OAC.

In the opener, Hendrixson relieved starter Chris Thomas with two on in the seventh inning. He worked out of the jam by inducing a pop-up and a groundout. In the nightcap, he inherited a bases-loaded, one-out situation from starter Steve Huber. A strikeout and a fly out later, Hendrxison and his teammates were back in the dugout.

Between the two games, Hendrixson threw 5.1 innings, allowing just one unearned run on four hits. He fanned six.

"We think that Derek has a chance to be a very special player for us," said head coach Matt Palm. "There aren't too many guys who can come back after throwing three innings in the first game and close the second."

Hendrixson's appearances came after a pair of strong starts by Thomas and Huber. Thomas struck out three and allowed two runs while picking up his fifth win of the season. Huber took a no-decision, but fanned six and allowed two runs. Each starter threw 6.1 innings.

"Chris and Steve did a great job giving us quality starts," said Palm. "They both took us deep into ballgames. You can't ask for much more than that from your starting guys. "

The Berg offense seemed to come alive when Hendrixson entered the game. Heidelberg scored eight of their 14 runs while he was in the game.

Arneal Squibb led the offense with seven hits on the afternoon, including a double and a triple. Derek Hug had three hits, all for extra bases. Hug hit an RBI double in the first game, a triple and an inside-the-park home run in the nightcap.

"I thought Arneal and Derek gave us a lift offensively," said Palm.

In the first game, Heidelberg broke a 2-2 tie with a pair in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and runners on the corners, Trevor Oldham broke for second. On the throw, Alex Grove scored the go-ahead run. Later, Oldham stole third and scored on a basehit by Andrew Zenczak.

"Z had a really good game for us," said Palm. "He made some really great plays defensively and stepped up for us offensively."

In the second, Zenczak initiated a double play with a diving play up the middle and a nice flip to Joe Staab, whose strong relay throw beat the Muskie baserunner. Later, another diving play by Zenczak resulted in a Muskingum groundout.

In the top half of the seventh, Thomas gave up a single and a one-out walk before Hendrixson jogged in from the left field bullpen. After he worked out of the jam, Heidelberg added three runs in the bottom half of the frame.

Squibb singled and scored on a double into the right field corner by Hug. Morse, who had drawn a walk and moved to third on Hug's hit, scored on a wild pitch. Grove followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Hug.

"Alex did a great job on both sides, offensively and behind the plate," said Palm.

In the eighth inning, Muskingum (6-11, 1-3 OAC) had runners on second and third with one out. Hendrixson struck out the next two. He would allow an unearned run in the ninth before sealing the game.

In the second game, the Muskies scored a single run in the third and fourth off of Huber.

The Student Princes cut the deficit in half with a run in the fifth. After Staab reached on an error and scored when Squibb doubled to left center.

Hug led off the sixth with his seventh triple of the season, which tied a Heidelberg record. Jeremy Wentworth had seven triples in 2008. Hug scored on a line drive single to center by Adam Hershberger.

With the score tied in the top of the seventh, Huber gave up an infield single. On a popped up sacrifice bunt attempt, Huber dove and caught the ball near the first base line for the first out. After a hit-and-run single and a walk, Huber departed. Hendrixson returned to dance out of another jam.

"Both games were tight games and he really slammed the door," said Palm.

Heidelberg took the lead with three runs in the home half of the inning. With two outs and Squibb aboard, Hug sent a rocket to deep centerfield. As he hit second and turned for third, Palm began to aggressively wave Hug home. The sophomore, also the starting tight end for the 'Berg football team, slid in safely ahead of the relay throw.

"When you double-cut here at Peaceful Valley, you're still in center field," said Palm. "He's got good wheels. I didn't hesitate at all – I was sending him the whole time."

The Student Princes added another run in the seventh on a first-and-third stolen base situation.

In the eighth, Squibb tripled home Zenczak and scored on a wild pitch.

The wins over Muskingum were the first for the Tricolor since 2011. The Muskies swept Heidelberg in 2012 and 2013.

Heidelberg is in a three-way tie for second place in the OAC behind John Carroll.

After a non-conference single game at La Roche on Tuesday, Heidelberg will host Mount Union for an OAC doubleheader on Saturday.