TIFFIN, Ohio – It was billed as a matchup between two of top offenses in Division III baseball. But on a frigid afternoon in Peaceful Valley, pitching ruled the day as No. 23 Heidelberg University and No. 21 Case Western Reserve University split a doubleheader. In their home opener, Heidelberg won the first game, 3-2, before falling in the nightcap, 6-1.

Entering with the 10th and 12th highest team batting averages in the nation, Case and Heidelberg each only could muster 13 hits each between the two contests.

In the first game, Heidelberg's Kyle Fluharty and Derek Hendrixson stymied the Spartans. In the second game, CWRU's John Fortunato returned the favor.

Fluharty allowed two runs on five hits in 6.0 innings. Hendrixson followed with three innings of scoreless baseball, only issuing two hits.

"I thought Kyle threw really well again," said head coach Matt Palm. "He threw his fastball and curveball and commanded the zone."

Joe Staab knocked in all three runs for the Student Princes in the first contest. In the third, he doubled to right center, which allowed Adam Hershberger to score from second. In the fifth, he singled home Alex Grove with a base hit up the middle.

In the seventh, Staab broke a 2-2 tie with a hit-and-run single to left, which plated Hershberger.

"Joe is able to work deep into at-bats ," said Palm. "In the first game, he really came up big for us and executed very well to help us pick up a win against a great

Staab ripped four hits on the afternoon.

Hendrixson (3-1) struck out three in 3.0 innings and earned the victory.

"When Derek gets the ball on the mound, we feel good," said Palm. "He's just a competitor, and that's why he is finishing games for us."

Fortunato helped the Spartans salvage the split with a dominant complete game in the nightcap. The senior southpaw limited The Berg to one run on five hits while striking out six.

The lone blemish for Fortunato was solo home run by Derek Hug in the second inning.

"Fortunato is having a great season for them and he showed why today," said Palm. "He kept away, away, away – then he was good enough to bust a fastball in and get some guys out.

The Spartans touched up 'Berg starter Zach O'Driscoll for five runs in 2.1 innings, though only three were earned.

Heidelberg relievers Jordan Watson and Adam Manner combined for 5.2 innings of scoreless relief before Case added a run in the ninth.

Fortunato improved to 4-0 with the win.

The Student Princes moved to 15-4 on the season and Case moved to 14-4.

Heidelberg will return to action with a home doubleheader against OAC foe Muskingum. The twinbill is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday. However, a wintry mix of precipitation forecasted for Northwest Ohio will likely postponed the games to Sunday. A decision about the fate of Saturday's games will be made on Saturday morning prior to the Muskies' departure.