(AUBURNDALE, Fla.) - The Thomas More College baseball team rallied from a 13-4 deficit to defeat the University of Mount Union, 16-14, today (Tuesday, March 8, 2011) during the second day of the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational at the Lake Myrtle Complex in Auburndale, Florida.
With the win, the Saints improve to 2-0 on the season. With the loss, the Purple Raiders fall to 1-4 on the season.
Mount Union jumped out to a 13-4 lead after six and a half innings as it scored one in the first, two in the second, one in the third, two in the four and fifth and five in the seven, while Thomas More scored two in the second and sixth. The Saints scored eight runs in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 13-12, but Mount Union scored one in the eighth to increase the lead to 14-12. Sophomore center fielder Ryan Darner (Burlington, Ky./Covington Catholic), senior third baseman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, Ind./South Dearborn) and freshman second baseman Jason Handley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) each single in the bottom of the eighth to load the bases. Junior first baseman Andrew Thole (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) then cleared the bases with a grand slam to left field to give the Saints' their first lead of the day at 16-14. Thomas More retired Purple Raiders in order in the top of the ninth for the 16-14 win.
Sophomore pitcher David Etscheid (Union, Ky./Ryle) pitched one and one-third innings of relief to earn the victory as he gave up one run on two hits and struck out two. Freshman Andy Roenker (Taylor Mill, Ky./Holy Cross) pitched the ninth and got two ground outs and one fly out to earn his first collegiate save.
Thole led the Saints at the play as he went two-for-four with the grand slam and six runs batted-in. Two other Saints had multiple hit days as Schmeltzer was three-for-four with a double and a RBI and Nutini was two-for-five.
Thomas More has a quick turnaround as it plays Bridgewater (Va.) College in a doubleheader tomorrow (Wednesday, March 9) at 9 a.m. at the Lake Myrtle Main Field in Auburndale, Florida.