PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - En route to a 6-1 win, three Heidelberg University pitchers combined to hold Montclair State to one run on five hits.
Ethan Holt (Galion/West Holmes) threw five innings to pick up the win for Heidelberg (7-2). The senior scattered three hits and struck out five.
Eight Heidelberg starters recorded a hit in the balanced offensive effort.
The Student Princes scored a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings to take control.
In the third, Andrew Zenczak (Brunswick) singled, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Alex Grove (Canal Fulton/Canton Central Catholic) reached second on an error, which allowed Zenczak to score. Eric Monroe (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) singled home Grove.
After Ben Blystone (Brownsburg, IN) reached on an error and Arneal Squibb (Mishawaka, IN) singled to start the fourth, a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Martin (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) put runners on second and third. A Zenczak groundout scored Blystone and a single by Joe Staab (Bellville/Clear Fork) scored Squibb.
With his pitch count rising, Holt (2-0) was removed to start the sixth. Freshman Ben Sniezek (Dearborn Heights, MI/Crestwood) allowed a walk and a double before an RBI groundout put Montclair State (2-2) on the board. Sniezek got a groundball double play to end the inning with the score 4-1.
Heidelberg closed out the scoring with a pair of runs in the seventh. T.J. Harkness (Fremont/Ross) and Grove led off the inning with doubles. After a groundout, Steve Morse (Scottsdale, AZ/Orchard Lake (MI) Saint Mary's) doubled to score Grove.
Travis Gray (Markle, IN/Norwell) retired Montclair State in order in the ninth.
The Student Princes face Denison on Tuesday in their final game in Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. After facing the Big Red, Heidelberg will return to Tiffin to prepare for their home opening series against Manchester. The weekend series features a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.
Prior to Sunday's game, Heidelberg baseball will formally dedicate Patriots Park at Peaceful Valley, a tribute to the United States Armed Forces. The dedication will begin at noon.