AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Thiel College surrendered an early five-run lead, but used extra innings to down Muhlenberg College, 13-10, in what was the season-opener for both teams Saturday. The contest – played under sunny skies in central Florida – was the first-ever played on Field 3 of the brand new Lake Myrtle Park complex in Auburndale.

No. 21 Thiel, after establishing a, 7-2, lead mid-way through the fifth inning, Muhlenberg scored six runs over the next two frames to regain the advantage.

Down, 8-7, in the top of the seventh, second baseman Matt Stumpf (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto Rox) ripped a triple deep into the right field corner, scoring Dan Morrison (Cortland, Ohio/Maplewood), to tie the game up at 8 all.

After Thiel's Mark Brewer (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) pitched a shut-out bottom of the eighth, Eric Boylan (McKees Rocks/Sto Rox) lofted his first homerun of the season – a one-out solo shot – to give the Tomcats the, 9-8, edge.

Brewer pitched three solid innings in relief of starter Josh Tedesco (Campbell, Ohio, Ursuline), who was chased after a four-run fifth inning. Justin Fiorello (Eastlake, Ohio, Eastlake North) earned the win by pitching a scoreless 2 2/3 innings.

In the top of the tenth, Justin Scarpitti (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep.) doubled in Boylan for what would eventually become the winning run. Senior centerfielder David Nypaver (Williamsfield, Oh./Howland) drove in Scarpitti and Chris Dunham (Conneaut Lake, Pa./Linesville) to set the final.

Thiel racked up 18 hits in their debut performance of 2009, with five Tomcats getting three hits apiece. Boylan and Dunham each scored three runs, while Nypaver and Stumpf each drove in three runs.

The Mules were paced offensively by Christian Conti, who went an impressive 5-for-6, while driving in three runs. Jonathan Rapport took the loss for Muhlenberg.

Thiel returns to action on Sunday when they take on Gwynedd-Mercy in Kissimmee, Fla.

In JV action, Thiel downed West Virginia Wesleyan, 8-7.