FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Thiel College baseball team was defeated by Heidelberg University 7-5 Thursday afternoon during play in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
Heidelberg opened scoring with runs scored by Alex Manner and Matt Psychas in the first to make it 2-0 in favor of the Student Princes.
The Tomcats answered in the fourth with a two-run triple by
Jake Marino (Pittsfield, Pa./Youngsville), which scored
Zach Hudecek (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes) and
Nick Grice (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) making it 3-2 after four.
The Student Princes would add runs in the sixth and seventh to build up a 7-2 lead heading into the ninth.
In the ninth
Nick Fowkes (New Eagle, Pa./Ringgold) doubled to right field driving in one run followed by
Drew Dellert (Dover, Del./Poly-Tech) and
Bryan Mitchell (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) each driving in one run to pull the Tomcats within two.
The Tomcats loaded the bases with the two outs but Heidelberg got out of the jam and held on for the win.
Heidelberg Starter Anthony Hajdu picked up his second win of the year pitching seven innings, striking out nine, and allowing two runs.
The Tomcats were led at the plate by Marino, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Starter
Kevin Forrester (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) stuck out six batters over six innings.
Thiel (3-3) will return to action in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Friday when they take on Saint John's University at the Player Development Complex Field #5. The game is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
