WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Tomcat baseball team split a pair of games with Washington & Jefferson on Wednesday April 20 at Ross Memorial Park in Washington, Pa. Thiel took the first game 10-8 and was defeated by the Presidents in game two 7-2.

The Tomcats (15-12; 5-7 PAC) took the first game of the double-header by a score of 10-8.

Thiel jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on an RBI by junior Phil Double (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley) in the top of the first inning. However, the Presidents came right back in the bottom of the first inning with a three run frame of their own led by an RBI double by Aaron Klinec to make the score 3-1 in favor of W&J.

After no score for either team in the second inning, the Tomcats came back with three runs in the top of the third inning. After senior Luke Johnson (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) reached on an error by the Presidents, he was quickly brought in on a RBI double by sophomore Eric Steininger (West Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg). Thiel would then load the bases for junior Bobby Hillier (Brook Park, Ohio/Midpark) who singled up the middle to drive in Steininger for the second run of the inning. The Tomcats would add one more run in the inning off of the bat of sophomore Derek Kreitzer (Kane, Pa./Smethport) to give them the 4-3 lead.

W&J would respond with one run in the bottom of the third inning and the teams would trade runs in the fourth frame to make the score 5-5 going in to the fifth inning.

Thiel would get the lead back in a hurry in the top of the fifth inning as Hillier led off the inning with a single and was brought in on a two-run homer to right field by sophomore designated hitter Jarod Nanna (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh) to make the score 7-5. The home run marked Nanna's second of the season.

After the Presidents once again tied the game, this time at seven a piece, Thiel would take the lead for good in the top half of the sixth inning. The long ball once again played a factor in the inning as Double hit a solo homer to right and was immediately followed by a single by junior Brock Porter (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) and a two-run shot also to right field, this time by Hillier to make the score 10-7.

W&J would add one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning to close the gap to 10-8 but could get no closer as the Tomcats picked up the victory in game one. James Teyssier (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) entered the game with one out and slammed the door to earn his first save of the season.

Offensively, Thiel was led by Double and Hillier who drove in three runs apiece on the day. Hillier also did not record an out on the day as he reached base safely in all four of his at bats.

After dropping the first game, a solid performance on the mound by freshman Eddie Nogay helped W&J defeat the Tomcats 7-2 in game two.

Thiel, who played as the home team in the second game, once again scored the first run on a two-out single by Hillier which scored Steininger to make the score 1-0.

The Presidents would come back as they plated five runs between the third and fourth innings highlighted by an RBI double by Kyle McClain to give W&J the lead 5-1. The Tomcats would then cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a RBI single by Snyder.

W&J would then add a run on a RBI single by Andy Trettel in the top of the sixth inning and would then add another run on a hit by McClain to expand the Presidents lead to 7-2 and they would go on to win by the same score.

Offensively, Thiel was once again led by Hillier who went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in a RBI. Overall, Hillier went 6-for-7 on the day and had four RBIs for the Tomcats who move to 15-12 and 5-7 in the PAC.

Nogay played well for the Presidents on the mound as he went seven solid innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out three in game two of the double-header.

Thiel will be back in action on Thursday April 21 as the travel to Waynesburg for a double-header against the Yellow Jackets. First pitch of game one is scheduled for two p.m.