VERO BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2010) – The Thiel College baseball team scored early and often as it outlasted Lebanon Valley, 16-13, Tuesday evening at Holman Stadium to even its record at 2-2.

The Thiel offense didn't wait long to jump all over the Dutchmen.

The Tomcats sent 12 men to the plate en route to an eight-run bottom of the first as they erased a, 2-0, deficit to go ahead for good.

The highlights of the frame were a three-run homer by freshman Jarod Nanna (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh) and a two-run double by fellow rookie Eric King (Butler, Pa./Butler). Thiel tacked on two runs in each of the next three innings and closed out their side of the score sheet with a two spot in the sixth.

The dreaded Dutchmen weren't without big innings of their own.

Lebanon Valley posted a six-run third inning and a three-run seventh to remain within striking distance.

Brad Bates (Kinsman, Ohio/Badger) earned the win for the Tomcats, pitching five solid innings in relief of starter Josh Russell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks). Bates allowed four runs while striking out six on the afternoon.

Every member of the Tomcat starting lineup scored a run and all but one notched at least one hit as the Thiel bats pounded out 15 hits.

DH Weston Snyder (Cranesville, Pa./Northwestern) and 3B Jake Thomas (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) each had three hits, while CF Luke Johnson (Rochester, Pa./Rochester), Thomas and SS Ryan Dixon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) each scored three runs. King and Nanna paced Thiel with three RBIs apiece.

Thiel returns to action tomorrow when it plays Neumann University at Dodgertown. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.