Germany’s Paul Wittmann drove in two runs in NCAA Division 2 postseason action, but he and his West Texas A&M Buffaloes were eliminated after consecutive losses in the regional tournament in Grand Junction, CO, ending the Buffaloes’ 2022 campaign with a 39-19 record.
West Texas A&M was making its eighth-straight appearance in the postseason, with the first round consisting of a three-team, double-elimination, regional tournament hosted by Colorado Mesa University. The St. Edward’s Hilltoppers rounded out the participants, with the Buffaloes and Hilltoppers facing off in Game 1 in the afternoon on Thursday, May 19.
The Hilltoppers pounded out 20 hits on their way to a 16-5 victory (box score) in Game 1. Wittmann started the contest in center field and went 0-for-3. He reached base on a walk.
The Game 1 loss made the nightcap a must-win for Wittmann and his Buffaloes, and the young German did his bit to stave off elimination. Brought in to pinch hit with two outs and the bases load in the top of the seventh inning, Wittmann drove a 1-2 pitch into right field, with two runs scoring on the single to reduce the West Texas A&M deficit to 5-3. That was the final score as well, however, with the defeat (box score) ending the Buffaloes’ 2022 campaign.
On the season, Wittmann slashed .342/.477/.462, with one home run and 19 RBI in 117 at-bats, and he led the team with eight steals in nine attempts.