UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- It would have been much cooler if it took place at Progressive Field, but the Heidelberg University Baseball team rallied in the ninth inning for an 8-7 win over John Carroll University. Wet weather prompted the switch from the home of the Cleveland Guardians back to JCU's campus. But in a season of near misses and tough losses, the Student Princes remain grateful for each and every victory.
Heidelberg, winners of three in a row, improved to 16-22 while JCU slipped to 21-13.
JCU led, 2-0, after one, then added three in the fifth.
The Student Princes sprang to life in the sixth. An infield single by
Sam Schneider and walks to Bready Limke and
Grant Bomer loaded the bases with no outs.
Garrett LaBeau drove in one with a groundout and
Logan Winstead followed with a sacrifice fly.
Brayden Tucker capped the scoring with a solid base hit through the right side.
Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, Heidelberg added one run on a sacrifice fly by Bomer.
In the ninth, Heidelberg fought back. Pinch hitter
Connor Roberts walked and was lifted for a pinch runner,
Shane Jones.
Carter Dubois reached on a throwing error that sent two into scoring position. Schneider reached on an infield single and drove in Jones. With runners on the corners and one out, JCU intentionally walked Bomer. LaBeau followed with a sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at six. Winstead stepped up and served a single down the right field line, putting the Student Princes on top, 7-6.
Logan Walpole added an insurance run with another base hit.
The bottom of the ninth saw the Blue Streaks score one, but
Henry Mates picked up the save.
Logan Franz earned the victory, throwing an inning of scoreless relief.
Heidelberg will wrap up the season on Saturday at Ohio Northern University. The OAC twinbill is slated for a 1 p.m. start.
