FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Thiel College baseball team was defeated by the Pride of Widener University, 6-5, Sunday at Player Development Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Tomcats were undone by a three-run, bottom of the ninth by the Pride, as Widener accounted for five of their six runs in just two innings.
Widener got on the board first in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits in the frame. The scoring was highlighted by a RBI single to right field by junior Matt Scherer to make the score 1-0 in favor of the home team.
The Tomcat bats remained relatively quiet until the top of the eighth inning, as they plated all five of their runs on five hits with two-outs in the frame.
After the leadoff hitter grounded out to start the eighth, sophomore Brian Genco (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) slapped a single to third. Fellow sophomore Bryan Mitchell(Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) followed, reaching base on a fielder's choice that advanced Genco to second. After a sacrifice bunt by freshman Austin Van Hoy (Ocean Side, Calif./Ocean Side) advanced the runners to second and third, sophomore Josh Doody (Grove City, Pa. /Grove City) got the Tomcats on the board with a two-out, two-run single to right field. Senior Nick Schiavoni (Boiling Spring, Pa./Trinity) singled to advance Doody to third, and sophomore Trent Smith (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) brought Doody home with a single to left center to tie the game at 3-3. Sophomore Sam Passafiume (Medina, Ohio/Medina) ended the scoring for Thiel, as he crushed a two-run single up the middle to score both Smith and Schiavoni.
Sophomore reliever Pat Duncan (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) held the Pride scoreless in the eighth, and the Tomcats headed to the ninth clinging to a 5-3 lead.
The Pride however, had plans of their own, utilizing a walk and three hits to manufacture three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off winners.
Smith led the way for Thiel, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles, a stolen base and a RBI. Doody finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Sophomore Matt Elko (Middlefield, Ohio/Berkshire) threw seven innings, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits and striking out four. Fellow sophomore Riley Schwertz(Zelienople, Pa./Freedom) took the loss in relief for the Tomcats.
Thiel will be back in action Monday, when they take on Ohio Northern University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Tomcats were undone by a three-run, bottom of the ninth by the Pride, as Widener accounted for five of their six runs in just two innings.
Widener got on the board first in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits in the frame. The scoring was highlighted by a RBI single to right field by junior Matt Scherer to make the score 1-0 in favor of the home team.
The Tomcat bats remained relatively quiet until the top of the eighth inning, as they plated all five of their runs on five hits with two-outs in the frame.
After the leadoff hitter grounded out to start the eighth, sophomore Brian Genco (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) slapped a single to third. Fellow sophomore Bryan Mitchell(Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) followed, reaching base on a fielder's choice that advanced Genco to second. After a sacrifice bunt by freshman Austin Van Hoy (Ocean Side, Calif./Ocean Side) advanced the runners to second and third, sophomore Josh Doody (Grove City, Pa. /Grove City) got the Tomcats on the board with a two-out, two-run single to right field. Senior Nick Schiavoni (Boiling Spring, Pa./Trinity) singled to advance Doody to third, and sophomore Trent Smith (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) brought Doody home with a single to left center to tie the game at 3-3. Sophomore Sam Passafiume (Medina, Ohio/Medina) ended the scoring for Thiel, as he crushed a two-run single up the middle to score both Smith and Schiavoni.
Sophomore reliever Pat Duncan (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) held the Pride scoreless in the eighth, and the Tomcats headed to the ninth clinging to a 5-3 lead.
The Pride however, had plans of their own, utilizing a walk and three hits to manufacture three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off winners.
Smith led the way for Thiel, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles, a stolen base and a RBI. Doody finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Sophomore Matt Elko (Middlefield, Ohio/Berkshire) threw seven innings, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits and striking out four. Fellow sophomore Riley Schwertz(Zelienople, Pa./Freedom) took the loss in relief for the Tomcats.
Thiel will be back in action Monday, when they take on Ohio Northern University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.