AUBURNDALE, FLA. -- The Trine University baseball team has scored a combined 39 runs in its last two games as the Thunder defeated New Jersey City University, 17-1, in a shortened seven-inning game as part of the RussMatt Invitational in Auburndale, Fla.
Trine continues to put up high run totals without recording a homerun as the Thunder accounted for 11 hits in the game against the Gothic Knights led by junior Jacob Heller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Prairie Heights) who went three-of-four with two runs scored and four RBI.
Three other players each recorded multi-hit games, including junior Zachary Schulte (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren Cousino) who ended the day two-of-three and scored a pair of runs in addition to driving in a run. Freshman Shayne Devine (Valparaiso, Ind./Portage) and sophomore Thomas Rivet (Howell, Mich./Hartland) rounded out the players with multiple hits both finishing two-of-four at the plate. Devine also scored three runs and three RBI, while Rivet added a pair of runs scored and a RBI.
Also having a big day offensively was sophomore Nick Ricci (Hebron, Ind./Crown Point) who was one-of-four with two runs scored and had three RBI.
On the mound, sophomore Shawn Ligocki (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) started the game and pitched four innings while allowing one run on four hits and struck out two batters. Freshman Kyle Robinson (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) pitched two innings in relief and recorded his first collegiate win. He gave up no runs while striking out one batter. Freshman Ben West (Stanton, Mich./Central Montcalm) pitched the final inning and allowed just a hit to go along with a strikeout.
Trine (4-1) took control early with four runs in the top of the first inning that was highlighted by a two-RBI single by Ricci with runners on second and third. The Thunder went on to add two more runs in the third thanks to a RBI-triple by Rivet and a defensive error that made the score 6-0. New Jersey City (5-1) ended the possible shutout with a run in the bottom of the third to put the Knights on the board, 6-1.
The lone run by the Knights would be the only scoring for NJCU the rest of the way as Trine tacked on 11 additional runs, beginning with a run in the top of the fourth on a RBI-double by Heller. The Thunder then scored seven in the fifth that saw Devin and Heller both hit a two-RBI double, to lead, 14-1.
The final runs of the game came in the top of the sixth when Trine plated runs on a pair of sacrifice flies by Devin and Heller as well as a RBI-single by Schulte as the game was called after seven innings with the Thunder posting the 17-1 final.
Trine is scheduled to play its final nine-inning game of the week tomorrow (Thursday, Mar. 8) with a matchup against Saint Vincent (Pa.) College in Auburndale, Fla. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. start.