GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College baseball team lost to the Franciscan Barons, 5-3, in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game on Monday.
 
Thiel took an early 3-0 lead through two innings. The Barons chipped away at the lead with two runs in the third inning, then scored a run in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to take a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Tomcats were knocking on the door with the bases loaded and no outs. Joshua Speaker came in to pitch for the Barons and slammed the door shut, getting a fielder's choice then a double play to end the threat. Franciscan starter Ryan Neely had settled in after early troubles, as he and Speaker held the Tomcats scoreless for the final seven innings to give the Barons the 5-3 victory.
 
For the Tomcats, Jamin Wentling (Greenville, Pa./Greenville) led with three hits, including a double, one run, and one RBI. Nick Guarnieri (Niles, Ohio/Mckinley) notched two hits and a run. Michael Aches (Pittsburgh, Pa./Canevin) went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in his first start of the season. Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) was charged with the loss, pitching 5.2 innings, giving up nine hits, four runs (three earned), four walks and two strikeouts. Travis Harvey (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
 
For the Barons, Joshua Costello finished with two hits, including a solo home run. Daniel Halsey had three hits and two runs. Neely pitched seven innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks, plus two strikeouts. Speaker earned the save, tossing two scoreless innings.
 
The Tomcats will look to bounce back when they take on the Grove City Wolverines in a doubleheader on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.