(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) – Thomas More University first-year second baseman Brett Benzinger (Taylor Mill, Ky./New Richmond) hit two home runs today (Wednesday, April 3, 2019) to lead the Saints to an 8-5 win over Ohio Northern University at Thomas More Field in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. With the win, the Saints improve to 9-10 and the Polar Bears fall to 9-10.
HOW THEY SCORED:
- Ohio Northern took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
- Thomas More took a 3-1 lead in the second inning as sophomore left fielder Brady Reynolds (White Oak, Ohio/LaSalle) had a two-run RBI triple scoring senior shortstop Sean Lawrence (Independence, Ky./Simon Kenton) and senior right fielder Joshua Boeckmann (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) and then Benzinger had a RBI walk scoring junior catcher Matt Wellbrock (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder).
- The Polar Bears platted two runs in the third to tie the game at 3-3.
- In the fourth inning, first-year third baseman Bailey Martin (Independence, Ky./Simon Kenton) had a sacrifice fly scoring senior first baseman Nick Jenkins (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) and Benzinger had a two-run home run bringing senior center fielder Blaise Ostertag (Burlington, Ky./Conner) to give the Saints a 6-3 lead.
- ONU scored two runs in the top of the fifth to cut the leadto 6-5.
- Reynolds scored on a pass ball in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 7-5.
- Benzinger hit his second home run of the game in the sixth to increase the lead to 8-5.
AT THE PLATE:
- Benzinger finished the game two-for-four with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored.
- Lawrence was three-for-five with a run scored.
- Martin was two-for-four with a RBI.
- Jenkins was two-for-two with a run scored.
ON THE MOUND:
- Thomas More used six pitchers in the game.
- First-year pitcher Mitch Mierke (Milford, Ohio/Milford) earned the win as he pitched three innings giving up four runs on seven hits and striking out one.
- Junior pitcher Justin Ward (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) earned the save as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
UP NEXT:
- Thomas More will open a three-game series with the University of Dallas on Saturday with a doubleheader.
- First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Thomas More Field.