The Tigers took their fourth series of the season over the weekend, beating Ohio Northern twice on Saturday 10-5 and 13-3, before losing the finale on Sunday in a shootout, 14-12.
Before playing Ohio Northern, the Tigers played an expansive non-conference schedule that included a full plate of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents including perennial heavyweights Anderson University and Transylvania University.
"Our goal is to win the [NCAC] Conference and make a run in NCAA tournament," said head coach Jake Martin. "We are going to put together the toughest schedule outside of our conference that we can so that when we get to the tournament we are not overwhelmed with the talent."
DePauw took its 12-3 record against Ohio Northern of the Ohio Athletic conference this weekend - its last non-conference test before a series against Wittenberg University this upcoming weekend.
Outscoring the Polar Bears 23-8 in the Saturday doubleheader, DePauw recorded 30 total hits and received solid at bats up and down the lineup, a consistent aspect of the DePauw offensive attack all season long.
"I feel like we are finally swinging the bats well from all spots in the lineup," said sophomore outfielder Rob Stein. "The middle of the lineup is hitting strong."
Junior Zach Galyean and sophomore Pat Lyons combined for five hits a piece and nine total RBI. In the second game of the double header, Stein added three hits and four RBIs including a home run.
The pitching was no less impressive, as senior Andy Manson picked up his team-leading third win. Manson threw six-innings with no earned runs on just five hits allowed and four strikeouts in the latter game of the doubleheader.
The bullpen also played strongly as junior Conor Heneghan and sophomore Sean Brennan threw shutout innings, along with solid performances from sophomores Alex Sroka and J.T. Timmer.
"Heneghan and Brennan did a great job this weekend," Martin said. "They haven't given up much at all this year. The pitching staff in general has settled into their roles."
DePauw lost the final game of the weekend in an offensive battle, 14-12, as Ohio Northern clean-up hitter Matt Hampshire went two for four including a home run, testing the DePauw bullpen in the later innings. DePauw closer Joe Wojda, junior, allowed three runs to suffer his first loss of the season.
The Tigers look next to a stiff conference opponent, the Wittenberg University Tigers of Springfield, Ohio, the inaugural series for DePauw baseball as members of the NCAC.
"[Wittenberg's starters] have some upperclassmen pitching, but mostly right-handers," Stein said. "It should be a good weekend for us and hopefully we come out with a sweep."
After playing Wittenberg for four games, the Tigers continue their non-conference tour in Georgia from March 27 to March 29, playing traditional Div. III powerhouses LaGrange College, Oglethorpe University and Piedmont College.
