(WINTER HAVEN, Fla.) - The Thomas More College baseball team defeated Suffolk University, 10-5, today (Friday, March 8, 2013) on its final day of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational at the Chain of Lakes Complex in Winter Haven, Florida.

With the win, the Saints end their Florida swing with a 5-1 record.  With the loss, the Rams fall to 0-1 on the season.

Thomas More scored one in the second, one in the seventh, seven in the eighth and one in the ninth, while holding the Rams to one in the first, two in the fifth and two in the eighth for the 10-5 victory.

In the eighth inning, sophomore outfielder Nick Connor (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) got a two-out base hit to tie the game.  Then senior outfielder Ryan Darner (Burlington, Ky./Covington Catholic) got a hit, junior infielder Travis Miller (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) walked and junior outfielder Cody Makin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) hit a bases loaded two-run single.  Junior outfielder Jason Handley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) had a run batted-in single and freshman infielder Donovan Poque (Sharonville, Ohio/St. Xavier) added a two-run double to right field to take a 9-3 lead.

Senior pitcher David Etscheid (Union, Ky./Ryle) earned the win on the mound as he pitched four innings of relief and allowed two runs on two hits and struck out four, while walking one.  Sophomore pitcher Tyler Jones (Rising Sun, Ind./Rising Sun) earned a no decision as he started and pitched four innings, giving up three runs (two earned) and struck out two and walked two.

Darner led the Saints at the plate as he was four-for-six with three runs scored.  Miller was two-for-four with a double, Makin was two-for-five with three RBI, Handley was two-for-five with a triple and two runs scored and Poque was two-for-five with a double and three RBI.

Thomas More returns to action on Tuesday (March 12) when it travels to Hanover, Indiana to play Hanover College.  First pitch of the non-conference single nine inning game is scheduled for 3 p.m.