GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College men's baseball team faced the Westminster Titans in two Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contests on Saturday. The Titans won the first game 8-5 (7 innings) and the Tomcats won the second game 21-15 (9 innings). The doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played at Westminster, so the Titans served as the home team for both games.
In game one, the Titans got off to a 4-0 lead before the Tomcats got on the board in the top of the fifth inning with one run. The Titans added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 8-1 lead entering the seventh and final inning. The Tomcats nearly made a comeback, scoring four runs in the inning but fell short, losing 8-5.
In game two, the Tomcats kept their momentum going from their near comeback and scored two runs in the second inning and seven runs in the third inning. The offensive showdown continued as there were a total of twelve half innings (six for each team) in which the hitting team scored two or more runs. However, the Tomcats never relinquished the lead and went on to win 21-15.
In game one,
Nash Matson (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) recorded a run and RBI.
Alec Gamble (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) added two runs.
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) reached base three times with two hits and a walk.
Sante Carducci (Toronto, Ohio/Toronto) was charged with the loss, tossing 4.2 innings giving up seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits and striking out two.
Paul Midili earned the win for the Titans in game one, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing one run on six hits and striking out five. Dawson Porter finished the game 4-4 with four runs and an RBI.
In game two,
Nash Matson (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong),
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale),
Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley), and
Derek Knapp (Warren, Pa./Warren) each tallied three hits. Matson, Johnson, Knapp, and
Anthony Rago (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) also notched four RBIs apiece. Williams, Johnson, and
Nick Guarnieri (Niles, Ohio/Mckinley) totaled four runs apiece. Johnson reached base a total of five times in just six plate appearances.
Travis Harvey (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) was credited with the win in 2.2 innings pitched in relief.
Alec Katon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) also pitched a shutout inning in relief.
For the Titans, Kolton Banfi was charged with the loss, giving up nine runs (seven earned) in 2.2 innings. Dawson Porter led the way offensively with three hits, a walk, 5 RBIs, and one run.
The Tomcats and Titans face-off again with a doubleheader tomorrow at Thiel. First pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
