Box Score ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Thiel College baseball team traveled to the University of Mount Union for a nine-inning non-conference matchup. The Tomcats came up short, falling 5-3 to the Purple Raiders.

The home team built a 3-0 lead over the first four innings of the contest by putting up a run in the bottom of the first, second and fourth. The Tomcats got back into the game during their half of the fifth inning with a solo run that trimmed their deficit down to just two runs.
 
Sophomore left fielder Bryan Mitchell (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) led off the top of the fifth with a single and moved to second on a fielding error by the Purple Raiders shortstop. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore center fielder Matt Elko (Middlefield, Ohio/Berkshire) moved both Mitchell and sophomore catcher Dan Koller (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic) to second and third with one out. Sophomore third baseman Brian Genco (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Mitchell to score and make it 3-1.

The Purple Raiders added an insurance run off a RBI-single in the bottom of the fifth to build their lead back to three, 4-1.

Thiel caught two-out lightning in the top of the eighth, as senior right fielder Nick Schiavoni (Boiling Spring, Pa./Trinity) got things started with a single up the middle. Sophomore second baseman Josh Doody (Grove City, Pa. /Grove City) followed with a single to right field, and sophomore first baseman Trent Smith (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) then loaded the bases with an infield single. Sophomore designated hitter Sam Passafiume (Medina, Ohio/Medina) scored two with a single up the middle and Thiel cut the deficit to one run, 4-3.

Unfortunately, Mount Union closed out the inning during the next at-bat with a run of their own that ultimately sealed the victory.

Doody and Mitchell notched two hits each to pace the Thiel offense.

Sophomore Jaden Nozicka (Portage, Mich./Portage Central) started and suffered the loss on the mound after allowing four runs, all of which were earned, on nine hits and no walks. Freshman Kevin Forrester (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) worked the final three innings and gave up just one run on four hits and no walks.
 
The Tomcats return to action tomorrow, April 22 to take on the Hiram College Terriers. First pitch in Hiram, Ohio is set for 3 p.m.