The Heidelberg University baseball team suffered their second loss of the 2013 season to Salem (MA.) State University, 11-9.
The Heidelberg offense was led by junior infielders Joe Staab (Bellville/Clear Fork) and Andrew Zenczak (Brunswick), along with freshman outfielder T.J. Harkness (Fremont/Fremont Ross).
Staab went two for four at the plate, collecting two RBI’s and one run. Zenczak tallied three RBI’s against the Vikings, while going two of three at the plate .
Harkness only recorded one hit on the day in his five plate appearances, but drove in three runs for the Student Princes in the loss.
The Vikings took a three run lead in the second, which the Berg answered with three of their own in the top half of the third.
The game would not remain tied for long as the Vikings reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the third inning with an RBI single.
The Student Princes gained their only advantage of the game by scoring three runs in the fourth inning, but the Heidelberg lead would not last long. A five run fifth inning propelled Salem to a 9-6 advantage and the Berg would trail for the remainder of the game.
Two runs in the top of the eighth gave the Student Princes a fighting chance to tie the game once again, but the Vikings answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.
Trailing by three in the top of the ninth inning, the Student Princes managed to bat in another run, but the Salem bullpen closed out the game before a 'Berg rally could get started.
Heidelberg sophomore righty Ryan Minteer (Venetia, PA./Peters Township) is credited with his first loss of the season. Salem’s Shawn Hull receives the win and Mike Davis, the save.
The 6-2 'Berg baseball team and 14-year head coach Matt Palm will continue competition tomorrow, Monday, March 11, against the Redhawks of Montclair State University. First pitch from Port Charlotte, Florida is slated for 10:30 a.m.
The Heidelberg men will conclude competition in Florida the following day against intrastate foe Denison University.