FORT MYERS, Fla. - Thiel sophomore Matt Elko (Middlefield, Ohio/Berkshire) tossed his first career nine-inning shutout, allowing just three hits in the Tomcats' 2-0 win over Illinois College Thursday.

Elko was dealing from the get-go as he didn't allow a hit until the third inning and needed 127 pitches to complete the shutout in one hour and 41 minutes. The sophomore hurler, who picked up a no-decision in Thiel's season opener against Widener, improved to 1-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.69 on the season. Elko struck out 10 hitters and walked just two.

Illinois College's T.J. Albers (1-1) suffered the loss, despite allowing only one run on three hits in four innings of work. Albers also walked one. D.J. Davis scattered three hits and struck out five in four innings of relief.

After both teams were held scoreless in the first inning, Thiel got on the scoreboard in the second to take the 1-0 lead. The Tomcats led off the frame by taking advantage of two fielding miscues by the Blueboys, putting runners on first and second with one out. Senior Michael Guarascio (Aliquippa, Pa./Center), making his first plate appearance of the season, made the most of his start by slapping a RBI-single to left, scoring Trinch from second.

Illinois College recorded their first hit when Kendall Ruyle singled up the middle in the top of the third. Elko retired the next two hitters on six pitches to get out of the jam.

After both squads posted scoreless innings in the fourth, the Tomcats manufactured a run in the fifth, as sophomore Brian Genco (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) led off with a single through the left side. Freshman Austin Van Hoy (Ocean Side, Calif./Ocean Side) followed, making it to second on an overthrow to first by Davis. Sophomore Bryan Mitchell (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan)'s deep fly ball to center allowed Genco to tag and score, upping Thiel's lead to 2-0.

Elko stayed in the zone as he retired 12 of the final 15 Blueboy hitters he faced en route to posting the complete-game shutout win.

Six Tomcats recorded hits in the win, with Guarascio leading the way by going 1-for-2 at the plate with a RBI and a walk.

The Tomcats return to play on Thursday when they take on Emerson College. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.