AUBURNDALE, FLA.-- Two big innings and solid pitching led St. John Fisher to an 11-3 victory over Trine's baseball team Monday morning at Chain of Lakes Park.
The Cardinals exploded for four runs in the fourth inning and put up a five-spot in the fifth to build a cushion the Thunder could not overcome. Second baseman Mike Roman had two hits and three RBI's to lead St. John Fisher. Marc Iseneker tossed five hitless innings, striking out eight to earn the victory. Kory Shackle (Butler, Ohio/Mount Vernon) and Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) each went 1-3 with an RBI for Trine. The Thunder fall to 0-3 on the season. The Cardinals are now 3-1 overall.
The two teams seemed destined to be locked in a pitcher's duel, as they combined for just two hits through the first three frames before the Cardinals broke through. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with none out. St. John Fisher was able to capitalize as they scratched out four runs on three hits and did not strand a runner.
The Cardinals stayed hot with a five-run fifth. Chris Roeder, Nick Flemister and Brad Rush drove in runs with singles, while Roman capped the inning with a two-run double.
Iseneker shut down the Thunder through the first five innings. He allowed just two baserunners via walk. The performance earned Iseneker his first collegiate victory.
Trine got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Baer doubled home Shackle, who had singled. The Thunder pushed across two runs in the seventh when Andrew DeGood (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton) came around to score on an error and Shackle hit a sacrifice fly to score Christian Heustis (Huntley, Ill./Huntley).
The Thunder return to action tomorrow when they take on Milwaukee School of Engineering at 11:00 a.m. The doubleheader will be held at Chain of Lakes Park Stadium.