AUBURNDALE, Fla.-- Two Trine pitchers combined on the shutout as the Thunder defeated UMASS-Boston 3-0 Thursday afternoon in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
Ben Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich./Hackett Catholic Central) fired seven innings of four-hit relief to earn his first collegiate victory. The sophomore walked two and struck out four. Zachary Schulte (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren Cousino) worked the first two innings, surrendered one hit and struck out one batter. Zach Thorn (Portage, Ind./Portage) had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run to pace the offensive effort. Trine improved to 3-3 on the year. UMASS-Boston falls to 0-1.
J.J. LaBounty (Avon, Ind./Covenant Christian) extended his hitting-streak to five and knocked in a run. His RBI-groundout in the top of the third got the Thunder on the board and made the score 1-0.
The game would remain that way until the top of the sixth. Kory Shackle (Butler, Ohio/Mount Vernon) led off the inning with a double and later scored on a wild pitch. The Thunder were able to capitalize on an error that put a runner on base as Thorn capped the inning with a RBI-double to make the score 3-0.
Following today's performance, Shackle is now nine for his last 14 with three walks during that span.
Wheaton threw 92 pitches in his seven innings of scoreless releif, 60 of which were strikes. The shutout was Trine's first in a nine-inning game since 2004.
Steve Witkowski worked 5.2 innings for UMASS-Boston and was charged with the loss. He gave up an earned run on four hits, walked four and did not strike out a batter.
Trine concludes its performance in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational tomorrow against Ursinus. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 9 a.m.