GM 1 Box Score
GM 2 Box Score

LATROBE, Pa. – After watching Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Saint Vincent College rally with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure an 8-7 game one win Friday afternoon, the Tomcats bounced back with an 8-3 come-from-behind win in game two to preserve the doubleheader split.

Thiel (12-15, 5-6 PAC) took a 6-4 lead into the sixth, and after a two-out RBI groundout by Phil Double (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley), pushed its lead to three, 7-3, heading into the bottom of the frame.

After holding the Tomcats scoreless in the seventh, Saint Vincent (17-10, 7-7 PAC) put together a terrific inning of four runs, all scored after the first two batters of the inning were retired. Mike Hustava's two-run single the through the left side got the rally started and a costly Tomcat miscue in the field led to Nick LoNigro scoring the game-winner.

Thiel starter Nick Rossmiller (Butler, Pa./Butler) picked up the no decision, allowing four runs (3 earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks in 5.1 innings of work before handing the ball off to Bobby Hillier (Brook Park, Ohio/Midpark). Hiller was saddled with the loss, giving up four runs (3 earned) on five hits in 1.1 innings.

Double led the Tomcat offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Ryan Dixon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) hit his first home run since April 30, 2010 and finished 1-for-4 with a RBI and run, while Eric Steininger (West Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg) added two more hits to his team-high 45 this season.

Joey Fearer went 3-for-4 while Hustava finished with two hits and a pair of RBI. Jeremy Mains picked up his third win of the season, throwing 1.1 innings of one-hit baseball in relief of starter Gary Gerhardt.

Steininger's RBI groundout in the top of the fifth in game two knotted the score at 2-2 before RBIs by Dan Gainey (Girard, Ohio/Girard), Doug Farley (Linesville, Pa./Linesville) and Eric King (Butler, Pa./Butler) in the sixth saw the visiting Tomcats take a 5-2 lead.

The Tomcats struck for three runs more in the sixth inning, keyed by a two-out, two-run double by Farley, and finished the sixth leading 8-2.

Brad Burkardt's two-out RBI single in the seventh scored Saint Vincent's third run of the contest, but that would be as close as the homestanding Bearcats would get. 

Brad Bates (Kinsman, Ohio/Badger) tied his season high with six strikeouts in picking up the complete-game win. He allowed three runs (2 earned) on six hits.

Farley finished 3-for-5 with a season-high three RBI and two runs scored for Thiel. King and Double each added a pair of hits.

Burkhardt had two hits and a pair of RBI for the Bearcats. Jared Haller was dealt his first loss of the season after giving up five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings.

Thiel and Saint Vincent will conclude their three-game series on Sunday, April 15 at Tomcat Park. The single nine-inning contest is slated to get underway at 1 p.m.