PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida -- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Moments after putting the finishing touches on a dominant 11-3 win over Bridgewater State University, the members of the Heidelberg University baseball team learned that their season -- like so many across the country -- was coming to a premature end because of COVID-19 precautions.
In the victory,
Jake Davis went 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and six RBI.
Davis was one of five players with multiple hits on the day as the Student Princes pounded out 17 hits off of Bears pitching.
The offensive onslaught began in the bottom of the second, moments after 1986 CMA Single of the Year Bop by Dan Seals was heard on the public address system.
Elliot Kurtz singled and moved to third when
Tyler Smith reached on a throwing error. In his first collegiate at bat,
Cayden Rollins stroked a single up the middle, plating a pair. He scored on a double to left by Davis. Up 3-0, HU added another run when Davis scored on a sacrifice fly by
Kyle Jenkins.
The Bears scratched a run across in the top of the fourth, but their momentum was short-lived. After singles by Smith and Rollins, Davis launched a three-run homer to left.
Bridgewater pushed two more across the plate in the top of the 5th, cutting the 'Berg lead down to 7-3.
Again, HU answered immediately.
Eric DeVore doubled down the left field line and moved to third on a hit by
Marc Ochoa. Smith sent a bouncer to second, but DeVore beat the throw home with a head-first dive. After Ochoa scored on a throwing error, David drove in Smith with a single.
Ahead 10-3, the Student Princes added one final run in the seventh. Davis, who had pummeled the baseball in his three previous at bats, blooped in a well-placed double into left center, scoring Smith.
Tristan Phillips (3-0) went five full innings in the victory. He allowed three runs (two earned), fanned two and gave up five hits.
Mason Metz,
Trey Ickes,
Gavin Watson and
Jake Hall each threw an inning of scoreless relief.
