FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Thiel College baseball team defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy 9-2 in Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida Wednesday morning.

The Tomcats exploded for four runs on four hits in the first to make the score 4-0. Daniel Patrice (Munich, Germany/EST), Nick Fowkes (New Eagle, Pa./Ringgold), Bryan Mitchell (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan), and Matt Hultquist (North Warren, Pa./Warren) each had RBI's in the inning.

The lead proved to be more than enough as the Tomcat pitching staff held the Mariners to just two runs.

Starter Patrick Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) went five innings allowing just one run and striking out six.

The Tomcats continued scoring in the fourth on a run scored by Nick Grice (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) that extended the lead to 5-1 after four.

The Tomcats stuck again for three runs in the sixth on RBIs by Daniel Patrice (Munich, Germany/EST), Nick Fowkes (New Eagle, Pa./Ringgold), and Andrew Giesey (Penn, Pa./Penn Trafford).

Michael Rohm (Lisbon, Ohio/David Anderson) and Nate White (Franklin, Pa./Rocky Grove) both came in for two innings of relief pitching and allowed only one run in the final four innings to seal the victory.

Patrice had three doubles and Zach Hudecek (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes) stole two bases in the game.

The Tomcats (3-2) return to action in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Thursday at noon when they take on Heidelberg University at Terry Park.