COLUMBIA, S.C. - Senior KC Weber had four hits and sophomore Nick Hueneburg had two home runs as the Tiffin University baseball team (6-9) lost twice to Benedict (11-1) 9-6 and 11-10, Friday afternoon.
In the opener, Benedict hit Tiffin early, scoring eight runs off nine hits over the first three innings. Weber got the Dragons on the board with a solo home run in the fourth. It was his first and the team's first of the season.
In the sixth inning, TU used four hits to score four runs and close the gap to 8-5. The Tigers picked up a run in the bottom half of the inning.
Hueneburg led off the seventh with a solo shot. Following a ground out, freshman Jordan Widman and senior Brock Mitchell drew walks. BC got two pop outs to end the game.
For Tiffin, Weber was 3-for-4, scored twice and drove in a run while sophomore Nick Calandra drove in two runs. Senior Eric Klepper (1-3) gave up seven hits, seven runs, three earned and struck out two in 2.3 innings.
For Benedict, Jacques Brunson, Kevin Davis and Lashanta Grimes had two hits each. McCartha Thompson (1-0) gave up three hits, one run, walked three and struck out two in 3.3 innings.
In the nightcap, Tiffin struck in the first inning. Freshman Cole McCurry walked and came home as Hueneburg launched one over the fence. The Dragons would score twice in the third to make it 4-1. Benedict picked up three in the bottom of the third.
In the fourth inning, senior Collin Sallee singled and McCurry drew a walk. Widman crushed a triple down the right field line to score both runners. He would eventually score on a pass ball. The Tigers would score four over the next three innings to lead 8-7 heading into the seventh.
With one out, freshman Anthony Dodds singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Senior Ryan Locke came in to pinch hit and delivered a double to plate Dodds. Senior Ryan Williams got a pinch hit home run to give TU a 10-8 lead. BC would score three in the bottom of the seventh to steal the win.
For Tiffin, Hueneburg had two hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs while Calandra had two hits. Junior Joe Perretta (0-2) gave up five hits and three runs in one inning.
For Benedict, Grimes had two hits and drove in four runs while David Weber scored four runs. Christopher Lail (3-0) gave up four hits, three runs and walked one in one inning.
Tiffin opens the home and GLIAC seasons, Wednesday, March 20 against Findlay. The games are scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.
-TIFFIN UNIVERSITY-
