GREENVILLE, Pa. — The Tomcat baseball team defeated the Presidents of Washington & Jefferson College 6-5 on Thursday at Tomcat Park in Greenville.

Thiel got on the board first with a bang as junior Phil Double (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley) hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to give the Tomcats the 2-0 lead.

After being shut down in four straight innings by junior pitcher Brad Bates (Kinsman, Ohio/Badger), the Presidents tied the game at two apiece on RBIs by Ryan Verlihay and Joe Bogdewiecz.

Thiel would come right back in the bottom of the fifth inning as they would plate three runs to once again take the lead. The first run was driven in off on a RBI double by catcher Brock Porter (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) and the other two runs in the inning were scored on another double, this time from designated hitter Jarod Nanna (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh) to make the score 5-2.

The teams would then exchange runs in the seventh inning. The W&J run was driven in by Aaron Klinc and the Tomcat run was scored by Nanna on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Jake Thomas (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) to make the score 6-3.

The Presidents would attempt a comeback as they loaded the bases in the top of the eighth inning. After Tomcat pitching walked in two runs, pitcher Cody Northcott (Cochranton, Pa./Cochranton) came into the game and recorded the third out in the inning to keep the score 6-5.

Northcott would then shut down the Presidents in the ninth and Thiel took the contest 6-5.

Offensively, Nanna and Double led the way for Thiel as they recorded two RBIs apiece. Double also went 2-for-4 on the day, while Nanna hit 3-for-5 at the dish.

On the mound, Bates put together another quality start as he went seven strong innings, giving up just three earned runs on six hits and striking out nine.

The Tomcats next contests will be a three-game series at Thomas More on Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30. Friday's game will be a nine-inning contest. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.