(AUBURNDALE, Fla.) – The Thomas More College baseball team got their first win of the 2016 season with a 15-11 win today over Central (Iowa) College today (Tuesday, March 8, 2016) at the Lake Myrtle Complex in Auburndale, Florida.  The Saints scored early and often jumping out to a 15-5 lead and held on late after a six-run ninth inning to preserve the win.

The Saints scored 15 runs on 17 hits and were led at the plate by a number of people. The 1-4 batters were a combined 12-20 with nine runs scored and 12 runs batted-in.  Those four were sophomore Bailey Abbatiello (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle), who was two for six with two runs, sophomore Ben Laumann (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills), who was three-for-five with four runs , three RBI and two doubles, senior Donovan Pogue (Sharonville, Ohio/St. Xavier), who was four-for-four with three runs scored,  five RBI and a double and junior Ben Kenning (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder), who was three-for-five with 4 RBI and two doubles. The Saints were also led offensively by senior Marcus Woelfel (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison), who was three-for-four with three runs scored and a double.

On the mound sophomore Brandon Eliadis (Lawrenceburg, Ky./Anderson County) received the win as he went six innings giving up four runs (three earned) on 11 hits. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter.

Junior Josh Cain (Cold Springs, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) came on in the seventh and threw a scoreless inning.  Sophomore Noah Frantz (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) threw the eighth giving up a run on two hits. Freshman Joshua Boeckmann (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) started the ninth but only retired one batter while giving up six runs on three hits and three walks.  Junior Ken Ruberg (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) came on to close out the game getting the last two outs on a fly out and a ground out.

The Saints will be back at it again tomorrow at the Lake Myrtle Complex as they play a doubleheader with Rhode Island College starting at 9 a.m.