GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College baseball team was defeated by a score of 4-3 in 11 innings by The University of Mount Union on Sunday at Tomcat Park in Greenville.

Pitching was the name of the game in the first four innings as neither team was able to score a run until the fifth inning. Tomcat senior Justin Fiorello (Eastlake, Ohio, Eastlake North) was perfect through the first four innings of work as he shut down twelve straight Purple Raiders to begin the game. However, the Tomcats could not capitalize as the Mount Union pitching was just as solid. Freshman Mac Thurber got the start and went three innings while giving up just one hit and striking out three.

The Purple Raiders got on the board first in the top of the fifth inning as junior Craig Knott finally got to Fiorello with a double to left centerfield. Mitch Saunders drove Knott in with the RBI single and was immediately followed by a RBI triple from Trent Vallinger to make the score 2-0.

Pitcher Tom Bekelsky picked up where Horning left off and kept the Tomcats at bay allowing just three singles in four innings of work.

Thiel was able to finally get on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. Senior Jake Thomas (Canton, Ohio, Massillon Jackson) led the inning off with a single. Then after a walk to junior Luke Johnson (Rochester, Pa., Rochester) and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, sophomore Eric Steininger (West Leechburg, Pa., Leechburg) doubled to left center which scored two to tie the game at two. Steininger then scored off the bat of sophomore Jarod Nanna (Johnstown, Pa., Conemaugh), who beat out a double play ball to reach on the fielder's choice and keep the inning alive to give the Tomcats the lead 3-2.

Errors were the undoing of the Tomcats as the Purple Raiders tied the game off of two errors in the top of the ninth and then scored their go ahead run in the top of the 11th when Thiel committed another error. Purple Raider pitching then held off Tomcat comeback as Thiel had the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning but could not plate the runner and the Tomcats fell 4-3.

Offensively, the Tomcats were paced by the two RBIs by Steininger and a 3-for-5 day by junior Bobby Hillier (Brook Park, Ohio, Midpark).

Fiorello pitched a good game on the mound for the Tomcats as he gave up just 2 runs in eight innings of work, but did not get the decision.

Thiel (10-8) will be back in action on Monday as they travel to Geneva for a nine-inning game. The first pitch in Beaver Falls is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.