TIFFIN, Ohio - An early five-run lead was not enough for the Trine University baseball squad as they fell in non-conference action to Heidelberg 11-9. The less drops the Thunder to 16-14 on the season.
The Thunder scored in four of the first six innings as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead. After being retied in order in the first, the Thunder got their first two runners on in the second as sophomore Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) walked and freshman Kory Shackle (Butler, Ohio/Mount Vernon) singled. Two outs later it would be sophomore Tom Severeid (Granger, Ind./Penn) with a single to center, scoring Shackle.
With one out in the third, freshman Carter Stafford (Waterloo, Ind./DeKalb) launched his fourth home run of the season on the first pitch down the left field line.
The Student Princes would score their first run of in the bottom half of the inning on a one-out triple and a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, Trine broke the game open as they plated three runs in the inning. Severeid led off the inning with a double, but would be picked off. One out later it would be Stafford again delivering on his second homer of the game on a shot to left. Sophomore Ethan Prebynski (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) would follow with a walk. Senior Tom Wilder (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) then doubled to right center, scoring Prebynski. Wilder would then score on a double to left by Baer.
Trine added a run in the sixth on a solo shot by Severeid over the left field fence, the first of his career.
Heidelberg would mount a comeback in the bottom of the sixth as they plated four runs including a two-out, two-run double. They would then take the lead in the seventh as they plated six runs, all coming with at least one out.
Trine would get a run back in the eighth despite not getting a hit. Sophomore R.J. Flowers (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton) reached on an error to started the inning. One out later Severeid would be hit and after another out Stafford would walk to load the bases. The Trine run would then score on a throwing error by the Heidelberg third baseman.
The Thunder nearly pulled off the ninth inning comeback as they scored twice and had the tying run at the plate but were unable to score again. Baer and Shackle led the inning off with back-to-back singles. Then with one out, junior Andrew DeGood (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton) singled to right center to score pinch runner junior Jeff Phillips (Prospect, Ohio/Marion Pleasant). Shackle would then score on a wild pitch. Trine would have two chances at getting the tying run on base, but both batters would be retired as the rally fell just short.
Sophomore Edward Tomich (Carmel, Ind./Westfield) started for the Thunder but had the no decision as he went 5 1/3 innings allowing four earned runs on six hits and striking out three. Junior Jeremy Spaulding (Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Central Catholic) took the loss lasting 1 1/3 innings and giving up four earned runs and three hits. Senior Nick Cocanower (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) came on for the final 1 1/3 and allowed three earned runs on four hits.
Stafford and Severeid led the Thunder on the day going 3-for-4 with two RBIs apiece. Baer, Shackle and Flowers each added a pair of hits on the afternoon. Stafford and Shackle also led the Thunder scoring twice.
Trine will return to action on April 26 when they host Olivet for a pair of conference games beginning at 2:00 p.m.
