ADRIAN, Mich. - In a throwback game to the days prior to the move to the NCAA, the Trine University baseball team defeated old rival Siena Heights 5-3. The win improves the Thunder to 8-7 on the season.
Trine got things going early as they scored a run in the top of the first. After a one out single by junior Steven Cornett (Bremen, Ind./Bremen), freshman Braxton Siddons (Churubusco, Ind./Churubusco) delivered with a double to left center scoring Cornett from first.
In the bottom of the first, the Thunder escaped major damage as the Saints loaded the bases with no outs. Sophomore Kyle Lidster (Griffith, Ind./Griffith) was able to pitch out of the jam retiring three straight batters to end the inning.
Trine wouldn't be as lucky in the second inning as the Saint plated a run after a one-out double and two Trine errors.
The Thunder would counter scoring three runs in the top of the third inning. After a leadoff walk by senior Nick Beitler (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak), and a sacrifice bunt by junior Tom Wilder (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield), Cornett was hit by the pitch and senior Ryan Smith (Danville, Ind./Danville) walked to load the bases. Siddons stepped in and delivered once again for the Thunder with his second double of the game to left center, clearing the bases.
Trine would add another run in the fifth. A one-out single by Smith was followed by a two-out single by senior Kyle Kleiman (Portage, Mich./Portage Central), as Smith came around the score on a Saints error on the play.
Siena Heights would add a run in the bottom of the inning on a single and a double.
The final run of the game would come on a Saints home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning.
Siddons led the Trine offense with two hits while driving in four runs. Smith had an outstanding day at the plate going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Cornett also had two hits and two runs for the Thunder.
On the mound for the Thunder Lidster pitched the first four innings, allowing one unearned run while scattering five hits in the no decision. Lidster finished with three strikeouts and a walk. Freshman Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) earned the win, pitching three inning of relief allowing one earned run, one hit while striking out four and walking one.
Senior Phil Cappelletty (Tipton, Mich./Adrian) came on to pitch the eighth inning, giving up one run on one hit. Sophomore Jeremy Spalding (Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Central Catholic) earned his second save of the year and he closed out the ninth inning, allowing just one hit.
Trine will return to conference action when the travel to Albion for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on March 31.