(TERRE HAUTE, Ind.) – The sixth-seeded Thomas More College defeated fourth-seeded and 25th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University, 10-6, today (Friday, May 17, 2013) in an elimination game of the NCAA Division III Championship Mideast Regional hosted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at Art Nehf Field in Terre Haute, Indiana.
With the win, the Saints improve to 31-15 and advance to play Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival and fifth-seeded Washington & Jefferson College in another elimination game later tonight at approximately 8:30 p.m. With the loss, the Titans end the season at 33-14.
Illinois Wesleyan took an early 3-0 lead with one run in the first and two in the second. The Saints tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning as senior right fielder Ryan Darner (Burlington, Ky./Covington Catholic) hit a two run-batted in double scoring senior shortstop David Kennett (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) and junior second baseman Jason Handley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) and then junior designated hitter Travis Miller (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) had a RBI groundout plating Darner.
In the top of the seventh inning, Darner hit a two-run RBI double scoring Kennett and Handley, hit a two-run RBI double scoring Darner and junior center fielder Cody Makin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) and then Miller scored on an error to take an 8-3 lead.
The Titans scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead to 8-4.
Thomas More extended the lead to 9-4 in the top of the eighth inning when Handley had a field choice RBI scoring junior third baseman Tyler Graber (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder).
Graber hit an RBI single scoring sophomore first baseman Craig Hyson (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) in the top of the ninth inning to increase the lead to 10-4.
Illinois Wesleyan scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth for the final score of 10-6.
Thomas More was led at the plate by Kennett, who was four-for-six with two runs scored. Four other Saints had multiple hits in the game as Darner was three-for-four with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored, junior left fielder Nick Connor (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) was three-for-four, Handley was two-for-five a RBI and two runs scored and Hyson was two-for-five with a run scored.
Sophomore pitcher Tim Baldrick (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) earned the win as he pitched seven innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits and struck out three. Junior pitcher Andy Roenker (Taylor Mill, Ky./Holy Cross) pitched one and two-third innings of relief and gave up two runs (both earned) on four hits. Senior pitcher David Etscheid (Union, Ky./Ryle) set the Thomas More career saves record with his 12th career save as he pitched one-third of an inning to earn the save.