WOOSTER, Ohio – A throwing error with two outs in the top of the ninth inning spoiled what was a fantastic defensive game to that point by The College of Wooster baseball team and ultimately handed Heidelberg University a 3-2 win over the Fighting Scots on Sunday afternoon at Art Murray Field.

Heidelberg (14-19) pinch hitter Andrew Pokley sent a routine grounder to third base with an out to go that Wooster (13-17) could not make the play on. Two runs scored on the throwing error, giving the visitors the 3-2 lead. Senior left fielder Jack Whitehouse doubled off the fence in left center, putting the tying run in scoring position for Wooster with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Scots could not get him in.

Last year, Wooster was blessed with alumnus Ben Gbur, an American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove winner, patrolling center field. On Sunday, first-year center fielder John Panstares showcased gold glove-caliber defense several times. He made a diving catch on a dead sprint on a sinking liner in the right center gap to get the Scots out of the third inning and strand two Berg runners on the bases. An inning later, Panstares was at it again, this time ranging backwards and running down a Reece McNeely fly ball just before crashing into the fence. Panstares tracked down five fly balls on the day.

Junior shortstop Grant Mitchell ranged back into the outfield for a few fly balls during the game. Elsewhere, first-year first baseman Ryan Kramer stayed with a pop up off the bat of Braeden Limke for the final out of the sixth inning. Kramer battled the wind to stay with that play, which left the bases stranded full of Student Princes. In the eighth inning, sophomore third baseman Alex Gerdenich made a back-handed stop on a grounder down the line, and Kramer dug out the throw on the other end for a key out.

Wooster's offense came in the third inning. Mitchell was hit by a pitch and motored into scoring position on a wild pitch. A shot past the third baseman off the bat of Panstares moved Mitchell over to third, then he scored on a Heidelberg throwing error, as Garrett LaBeau's throw trying to cut down Panstares stealing at second was a bit high. Next, Kramer smoked a single through the left side to score Panstares and make it 2-1.

Senior Ethan Samangy started and allowed one run on four hits in four innings. First-year Cooper Baer took over from there and held Heidelberg scoreless on two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. Classmate Sammy De Maio (0-2) was the tough-luck loser, taking the loss despite both runs charged to him being unearned. Orion Korah scored the win in his season pitching debut. He held the Scots scoreless on one hit in three innings of relief. A trio of Heidelberg pitchers allowed just five hits in the game.

Kramer had two of the five hits for Wooster, and he reached base safely three times. Andrew Cook, who started the game as Heidelberg's designated hitter and finished as the third baseman, was one of two in the game with three hits.

Wooster's defense led to 13 stranded Heidelberg runners.

Next, Wooster hosts the University of Mount Union (20-11) in a single game at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25.

Photo by Kira Boyce '23