GREENVILLE, Pa. (March 17, 2010) – The Thiel College baseball team took advantage of an ambrosial 59-degree afternoon by downing Hiram, 16-6, on opening day at Tomcat Park. The win upped the Tomcats' record to 6-5, while the Terriers fell to 3-8.

Justin Scarpitti (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep.) and Jake Thomas (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) both went yard in the contest which featured 14 hits by nine different Tomcats.

Scarpitti's homer – his second of the season – plated Thiel's first two runs of the game to give the home team a, 2-1, edge after one inning. Eric King (Butler, Pa./Butler), who reached on a single, also scored on the play.

Thomas' three-run blast highlighted Thiel's decisive nine-run fourth inning. The bomb also scored Phil Double (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley) – who drove in two runs earlier in the frame – and Jarod Nanna (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh).

Brock Porter (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) and Scarpitti also drove in two runs apiece in the inning.

Porter led the Tomcats with three hits to go along with three RBIs; Scarpitti drove in a team-high four runs. King scored a game-high four runs.

Thiel starter Josh Russell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) earned the win, tossing five solid innings.

The Tomcats return to action on Sunday when they visit Mount Union for a 1 p.m. contest.