GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College baseball team split a doubleheader with the Westminster Titans on Sunday afternoon. The Tomcats won the first game, 8-7 (nine innings), and lost the second game, 6-3 (seven innings). The first game was a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contest, and the second game was a non-conference game.
In the game one, the Titans got off to an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning. The Titans added two more on in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. The Tomcats did not get on the board until scoring one run in the seventh inning. The Tomcats were not going to go down easy, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to bring the game to 7-4. In the bottom of the ninth inning, five consecutive batters reached base, three via single, two via walk to cut the Titans' lead to 7-6. With the bases loaded and one out,
Derek Knapp (Warren, Pa./Warren) singled through the left side of the infield to score the tying run,
Mike Sittig (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley), and the winning run,
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale).
In the second game, the Titans again had a strong first inning, scoring three runs. Both teams added a run in the third inning and the Tomcats scored two runs in the fourth inning to cut the Titans' lead to 4-3. The Tomcats were held scoreless in the final three innings as the Titans added two more insurance runs to bring the final score to 6-3.
In game one,
Derek Knapp (Warren, Pa./Warren) notched a run, two RBIs, and the walk-off hit.
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) fired six scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit, striking out four, and recording his first win as a Tomcat pitcher. Williams also led the Tomcats with 3 RBIs, including two as part of the ninth inning comeback, and scored the winning run.
Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) finished a perfect 4-4 at the plate.
Andrew Giesey (Penn, Pa./Penn Trafford) finished with three hits, a walk, and two runs.
In game two,
Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) reached base twice with a hit and walk. Johnson also recorded a run.
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) added another RBI, giving him four between the two games on Sunday.
Anthony Rago (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and
Matt Hartzell (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) also scored a run apiece.
Alec Katon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) was charged with the loss, pitching two innings, letting up three runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
Derek Knapp (Warren, Pa./Warren) pitched three innings in relief and allowed just one run.
The Titans were led by strong performances from their starting pitchers. Logan Minch threw seven innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits, striking out six. Logan Exler pitched a complete game in game two, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in seven innings. In game one, Frank Cinicola reached base in all five plate appearances, with two hits and three walks, and notched two runs. Logan Murgenovich went 3-3 in game two with two runs and two RBIs.
The Tomcats' next series will be against the Franciscan Barons, with the first set of doubleheaders scheduled to be played at Franciscan on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. The second set of doubleheaders is scheduled for next Sunday at Thiel, starting at 2 p.m.
