FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The Thiel College baseball team defeated the Wheaton Thunder in a non-conference game Monday afternoon, 2-1.
 
It was a defensive battle throughout the game, but the Tomcats prevailed in the end.
 
Wheaton took the lead in the top of the eighth inning when Matthias Haggerty doubled, driving in a run. But the Tomcats responded in the bottom of the eighth when Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) drove in freshman Aidan Ochs (Rostraver Township, Pa./Belle Veron).
 
The Tomcats had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth when a wild pitch brought Michael Aches (Pittsburgh, Pa./Canevin) home for the winning run.
 
Alec Katon (Ashtabula, Ohio/Edgewood) started the game on the mound for the Tomcats. Through six innings, he allowed no runs on four hits. Katon recorded eight strikeouts and only walked two batters.
 
Nate Lucas (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice) relieved Katon in the seventh inning and finished the game for the Tomcats to earn the win. Lucas struck out five while only giving up one hit and one run. 
 
The Tomcats pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts and only three walks. 
 
Thiel was led by Seth Johnson (Magnolia, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) who went 3-for-4 including a double and the game-tying RBI. Nick Jacobs (New Castle, Pa./Union) and Chase Morrison (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) both went 1-for-2.
 
Wheaton was led by Haggerty, who went 2-for-4 including an RBI, while Kyle Wu went 2-for-3.
 
Wheaton's Jared Kloth went seven innings, striking out three and giving up eight hits. 
 
The Tomcats will play the Wilkes Colonels in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for noon.