ALMA, Mich. - It was another tough weekend for the Trine University baseball team as they earned yet another conference series split, this time dropping game one to Alma College 4-3 before thumping the Scots 9-1 in game two. The Thunder are now 12-12 on the season and 6-6 in the MIAA.
Alma put the first runs on the board in game one in the second as they plated three runs on four hits, two of which came with two outs.
Trine’s first scoring opportunity would come in the third inning as they loaded the bases with two outs but were unable to plate a run.
The Scots would increase their lead in the fourth, scoring a run on a Thunder error.
Trine would finally get things going in the sixth as they pulled within a run. A leadoff walk to junior Tom Wilder (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) was followed by an Alma error on a hit by sophomore Andrew DeGood (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton). Senior Craig Rinkes (Medina, Ohio/Medina) would deliver a single, scoring Wilder from third. Fellow senior Nick Beitler (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak) would reach on another Scots error, which allowed Rinkes and DeGood to score. The Thunder bats would stall there as the next three batters would be retired in order.
The Thunder were unable to get the tying run on base in the seventh, as they went down in order.
On the mound for Trine, junior Jake Rightnowar (Oregon, Ohio/Toledo Christian) suffered the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out three in 4 and 1/3 innings of work. Senior Chas Amadeo (Syracuse, Ind./Wawasee) came on to finish off the fifth inning, pitching 2/3 of an inning allowing a hit to the leadoff batter in the sixth. Junior Phil Stakely (Ostrander, Ohio/Buckeye Valley) pitched the final inning out of the bullpen, not allowing a runner to reach base.
The second game was a change of pace for the Thunder as they jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
With two outs in the second, Trine would rattle off five runs on four hits all started with a walk to sophomore Adam Sullivan (Fort Wayne, Ind./Elmhurst). After a single by Rinkes and an Alma error, Beitler would walk. From there, senior Josh Rivera (Somonauk, Ill./Somonauk) would deliver a double and junior Matt Zurbriggen (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) would follow with a base clearing triple to right center. The final run would come on an RBI single down the left field line by senior Ryan Smith (Danville, Ind./Danville).
The Scots lone run of the game would come in the third inning after a leadoff double, followed by a single and a sacrifice fly.
Trine would add on two more runs in the fourth.
With one out, Beitler and Rivera hit back-to-back singles, but Beitler would be thrown out attempting to go to third. After Zurbriggen was hit by a pitch, back-to-back walks to Smith and freshman Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) would score Rivera. A single by Wilder would plate another run for the Thunder as they led it 7-1.
The Thunder would plate the final runs of the game in the following inning.
After the first Trine batter was retired, Rinkes would walk and Beitler would single. Rivera would step in a deliver a double to right center, scoring Rinkes. The Thunder would score their final run on a sacrifice fly by Zurbriggen, allowing Beitler to score from third.
Rivera had a season-best four hits in five at bats, while collecting three RBIs and two runs scored. Smith and Beitler also collected two hits at the plate. Beitler and Rinkes each scored twice in the game. Zurbriggen knocked in two, while also scoring twice.
On the mound, freshman Braxton Siddons (Churubusco, Ind./Churubusco) pitched a stellar game, going five innings while allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out two batters. Senior Phil Cappelletty (Tipton, Mich./Adrian) came on to finish the final two innings, not allowing a hit while picking up a strikeout.
Trine will host Hope College for their conference series beginning April 12 at 2:00 p.m. for a doubleheader.