MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Behind a late rally in the ninth inning, the Ursinus College baseball team defeated Wittenberg University, 7-1 on Sunday afternoon.
 
 
With the victory, Ursinus has won their third straight game and seventh over their last eight contests. The Bears currently hold a 7-3 record to open the season while the Tigers fall to 6-3 overall. Sophomore Brandon Sullivan recorded his fifth multi-hit contest of the season, extended his hitting streak to eight games, and led the Bears offense finishing 2-for-3 with two RBI. Meanwhile, seniors Andrew Richter, Peter Balos, and Jordan Williams each added two hits apiece.
 

On the mound, sophomore Nick Crocona received the start and scattered five hits and one earned run over 4.1 innings of work. Junior Brett Mutz relieved Crocona in the fifth frame, improved to 1-1 on the season, and fanned four batters over 2.1 innings pitched. Sophomore Barritt Ross recorded the final seven outs for the Bears, allowing three hits, and shutting out the Tigers lineup to give Ursinus the victory.

 
The Bears jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the second inning as junior Shane Beaver and senior Jude Gilhool led off with free passes. After a single into left from Balos, first-year Devin Fogg collected the game's first RBI with an RBI base hit into left field. Wittenberg retired the next two batters, but a two-out walk from Sullivan stretched the Bears lead to 2-0.  
 
 
Crocona allowed a pair of base runners in the second and third innings, but he stranded three runners in scoring position to keep Ursinus ahead by two. In the fourth inning, Wittenberg cut their deficit to 2-1 as consecutive base hits and a sacrifice bunt pushed their first run across the plate. Both pitching staffs continued to pitch well as the team's entered the ninth inning with Ursinus leading 2-1.
 
 
Balos led off the Bears' final frame with a double into centerfield and advanced to third on a single by junior George Nestor. After an infield hit from Williams, Sullivan added an insurance run for Ursinus by tallying a single into left field to give Ursinus a 3-1 lead. Senior Jakob Cantor reached base and collected an RBI on a hit-by-pitch, while a double from Richter scored two Bears' and increased the Ursinus advantage to 6-1. Beaver closed out the inning for Ursinus by earning an infield single and an RBI to give the Bears a 7-1 lead. Ross closed out the contest in the ninth as he retired the Tigers in order, to give Ursinus a 7-1 victory.
 
 
The Bears return to action on Tuesday, March 11th as they take on Worcester Polytechnic Institute at 2 p.m. from Pelicans Stadium.