OWU Online | Sports Releases

Heidelberg 5, Ohio Wesleyan 4 (4/24/2002)

Heidelberg scratched across a pair of runs in the ninth to break a 3-3 tie and held off an Ohio Wesleyan rally in the bottom of the ninth to take a non-conference win on Wednesday at Littick Field.

The 'Berg jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first with the aid of 3 Ohio Wesleyan errors. Jon Hatfield had a 2-run single and Tyson Hammock also had an RBI single.

The Bishops closed to within 3-1 in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles by junior outfielder Joe Loudenslager (Hillard/Darby) and senior first baseman Drew Caravella (Columbus/Hilliard Davidson).

Ohio Wesleyan tied the game in the seventh as junior shortstop Seth Tenpenny (Powell/Worthington Kilbourne) opened the frame with a single and took third on a single by junior outfielder Travis Falk (Bryan). Falk stole second, and one out later, sophomore second baseman Mike Albert (Shelby) lined to centerfield with Tenpenny tagging and scoring after the catch. Loudenslager then skied a ball into no-man's land in shallow rightcenter, with Falk scoring from second as the ball fell.

The 'Berg broke the tie with 2 runs in the ninth. With one out, Brock Gankosky walked and stole second. Jimmy Williams followed with a walk and Hatfield delivered a single to load the bases. Hammock then looped a ball over second baseman Albert that scored Gankosky, and Kyle Leatherman followed with a hit just over shortstop Tenpenny that plated Williams for a 5-3 lead.

Ohio Wesleyan wasn't done yet, though. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Falk walked. Senior outfielder Shaun Rice followed with a grounder that handcuffed Heidelberg shortstop Ryan Gelhaus, with Gelhaus charged with an error on the play and Falk taking third base. Rice stole second and Albert then walked to load the bases. Loudenslager then lofted a fly ball to deep leftcenter which glanced off the glove of Heidelberg outfielder Josh Merrill. Merrill recovered in time to throw out Rice at the plate, with Albert moving to third and Loudenslager to second. That brought up Caravella with 2 outs, and Heidelberg reliever Jason Marsik struck out the Bishop slugger to end the game.

Loudenslager had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs for the Bishops.

Senior righthander Curt Moenter (Delphos/St. John), the third of 3 Ohio Wesleyan pitchers, was charged with the loss, his first in 9 decisions this season.