GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College baseball team defeated the Penn State Altoona Lions in Thiel's home opener on Friday.
 
The Lions scored one run in each of the first three innings to take an early 3-0 lead. The Tomcats answered with a three-run third inning to tie the game at three. In the sixth inning, the Lions scored one to take the lead, but the Tomcats quickly grabbed their first lead with two runs in the bottom half. Thiel added five more runs in seventh and eighth to win 10-4.
 
Anthony Rago (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) reached base four times, including a two-run home run. Rago tallied three runs and two RBIs. Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs. Jamin Wentling (Greenville, Pa./Greenville) notched a two-run double. Dan Lutz (Loveland, Ohio/Milford) also doubled, scored a run, and knocked in a run. Patrick Shirey (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) had an RBI and two runs.
 
Travis Harvey (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) started and pitched five innings of three-run ball and allowed six hits and a walk while striking out one. Richard Crooks (Milan, Ohio/Edison) earned his first win of the season in relief, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out two in three innings. Wentling also tossed a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
 
For the Lions, Corey Chamberlain went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Grayson McClain scored two runs. Starting pitcher Tristin Lockett suffered the loss in six innings pitched. He allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out two.
 
The Tomcats will travel to take on the Mount Union Purple Raiders on Tuesday at 2 p.m.