Baseball: Raiders Sweep Heidelberg in Dominant Fashion For Seventh-Straight Win

3/29/2025 | Baseball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Mount Union baseball team (11-6, 4-0 OAC) swept Heidelberg University (9-13, 1-3 OAC) in a doubleheader in the first games of OAC play at Rafeld-Rogers field. The Purple Raiders extended their winning streak to seven games.

In game one, senior starting right-handed pitcher Zachary Breeden (Cincinnati, Ohio / Oak Hills) had a marvelous day on the mound, securing his second win of the season. Breeden pitched 7.0 innings with six strikeouts while allowing only three hits and zero runs.

In the fourth inning, graduate first baseman Jaired Lehman (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) hit an opposite-field two-run home run to deep right-center to give the Purple Raiders the 2-0 lead. Lehman had an outstanding performance, going three-for-four with three RBIs and a walk.

Mount Union's offense exploded in the sixth inning, scoring eight runs. It all began when sophomore outfielder Luke Ickes (Green, Ohio / Green) hit an RBI single to right field. Next, graduate second baseman Andrew Witte (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) followed with a two-RBI double to center field. In the subsequent at-bat, senior shortstop Alex Stegman (Berea, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) connected with a line drive down the right field line for a double, bringing in two more runs. The onslaught continued as senior designated hitter Johnny Costella (Cleveland, Ohio/Trinity) contributed with an RBI single to right field. To cap off the inning, Ickes delivered a sacrifice fly to deep left field.

Junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Romito (North Ridgeville, Ohio / North Ridgeville) entered in relief during the eighth inning and completed the final two innings, pitching a total of 2.0 innings without allowing a hit or a walk, securing the 10-0 victory.

In game two, senior starting right-handed pitcher Brady Hansen (Beaver, Pa./Beaver Area) had a strong outing on the mound for the Purple Raiders, pitching 5.1 innings with nine strikeouts, allowing seven hits and only one run, earning his third win of the season.

Mount Union picked up where they left off from game one offensively, scoring four runs in the first inning of game two. Costella knocked in an RBI single to right field to increase the Purple Raiders' lead to 3-0, following senior third baseman Chris Viamonte (Naples, FL. / Coral Gables) scoring on an error and Stegman scoring on a wild pitch. Ickes capped off the scoring with an RBI double to right center. Ickes went two-for-five with two doubles and an RBI.

Mount Union continued their strong performance in the second inning, scoring another run thanks to an RBI triple by Stegman, who finished the day 3-for-5 with an RBI. The Purple Raiders maintained their momentum in the third inning, adding four more runs. Sophomore Brycen Fox (Hamilton, Ohio/Badin) contributed with an RBI double down the left field line, bringing in two runs. Then Witte followed up with an RBI single down the right field line, also scoring two runs and extending their lead to 9-0.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Mount Union scored another run with an RBI single by Viamonte. In the bottom of the eighth, the Purple Raiders maintained their dominance with an RBI single from Lehman. A sacrifice fly to right field by senior infielder Joe Lenart (Cleveland, Ohio/Garfield Heights) further extended their lead, and Lehman scored on a wild pitch, giving the Purple Raiders a 13-1 lead.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Chase Mayer (Amherst, Ohio / Amherst Steele) came in relief, pitching 2.2 innings with two strikeouts while allowing no hits and no runs. Senior right-handed pitcher Chris Phillips (Elyria, Ohio / Elyria Catholic) finished the game, pitching 1.0 innings with one strikeout, allowing two hits and no runs, securing the 13-1 lead.

Mount Union's next game will be Tuesday in a doubleheader at John Carroll University, with the first pitch at 1:00 PM and game two to follow shortly.