by Zak Orlemann '16

(AUBURNDALE, Fla.) - The Thomas More baseball team lost Friday afternoon to Rhodes College by the score of 5-2 at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Florida.  The Saints fall to 2-5 on the season.

Thomas More jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first when senior Travis Miller (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) drove in senior Jason Handley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) on a groundball to first base.   Rhodes would match Thomas More's run the following half inning.  Thomas More again took the lead in the top of the third when senior Cody Makin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) took home on an error by the catcher, and once again Rhodes matched the Saints run in the bottom half of the inning.  The score would remain tied at 2-2 until the seventh inning when Rhodes put three runs on the board, making the score 5-2 where it would remain for the duration of the game.

Junior pitcher Tim Baldrick (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) started the game and lasted 5.0 innings, allowing two runs, while striking out five and walking two.  Senior Jake Samad (Burlington, Ky./Conner) received the loss, allowing three runs, none of which were earned, over 1.2 innings, striking out two along the way.

The Saints bats remained dormant after the third inning, striking out 14 times on the day.  The Saints also struggled defensively, with six errors on the day. 

Makin was 2-4 on the day, and Miller had one RBI.

The Saints are set to return to action Tuesday, March 18 against Wilmington at Thomas More Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.