PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Thiel College baseball team was defeated, 6-9, by the Heidelberg Student Princes at Centennial Park on Monday.
The Tomcats struck first after a leadoff triple by
Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) and an RBI-single by
Anthony Rago (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin). It did not take long for the Student Princes to answer, scoring four runs in the second inning. In the fifth inning, Heidelberg extended their lead to 8-1 with another four-run inning.
In the top of the sixth,
Nick Jacobs (New Castle, Pa./Union) began chipping away at the lead with a two-run home run, the first of his Tomcat career. In the eighth inning,
Trey Williams (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) knocked in two with a double and
Adam Walker (Mercer, Pa./Mercer) scored Jacobs on a sacrifice fly and the Tomcats suddenly trailed just 6-8. However, the Student Princes added a run to their lead and shut the door in the ninth, as the Student Princes prevailed, 9-6.
For the Tomcats, Jacobs had two hits, two runs, and two RBIs while hitting his first collegiate home run. Rago reached base three times with a single and two walks, while tallying two runs and an RBI. Williams also notched two hits, including a double, and two RBIs.
On the mound,
Alec Katon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) and
Will Brandsema (Orlando, Fla./Cypress Creek) each pitched four innings with five and four strikeouts, respectively. Katon allowed six runs and was charged with his first loss of the season and Brandsema allowed three runs in relief.
For the Student Princes, Deaunte Fleming hit a two-run home run. Jake Hall earned the win in 5.1 innings of three-run ball and John Hassler earned the save.
The Tomcats will look to bounce back at Terry Park tomorrow when they take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves.
