ANGOLA, IND. -- The Trine University baseball team posted a doubleheader split against Kalamazoo (Mich.) College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association action at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind. The Thunder defeated the Hornets in game one, 2-1, but fell in the nightcap, 5-3.
Kalamazoo (4-9, 2-2 MIAA) got on the scoreboard first in the opening game with a run in the top of the second inning to take the early lead. Trine then platted both of its runs in its half of the fourth inning on a two-RBI double by senior Cale Hall (Orleans, Ind./Orleans) that was set up of a fielding error and a walk earlier in the inning.
The Hornets got the potential tying run on base in each of its last three plate appearances, but solid pitching and defense by Trine held Kalamazoo scoreless the rest of the way en route to the 2-1 victory.
Cale Hall finished with Trine's only hit of game one in addition to knocking in both runs.
Sophomore Adam Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich./Hackett Catholic Prep) pitched a complete game to pick up the win and allowed just an unearned run while tallying seven strikeouts.
In game two, both teams traded runs in the first inning with Trine's run coming on a RBI bases loaded walk. Kalamazoo then took the lead with four unanswered runs beginning with a pair of scores in the top of the fourth inning, another run in the fifth and one more run in the eighth to lead, 5-1.
Trine made things interesting in the ninth with bases loaded which led to a RBI-fielder's choice with junior Nick Ricci (Hebron, Ind./Crown Point) at the plate. In the very next Trine at-bat, senior Jacob Heller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Prairie Heights) was hit by a pitch to load the bases for a second time. The second Thunder run came via a second bases loaded walk in the game, this time with junior Thomas Rivet (Howell, Mich./Howell) getting the free pass and the RBI. But the two runs came with two outs on the board and the final out was recorded before any additional runs could cross home plate as Kalamazoo hung on for the two-run victory, 5-3, and take the split.
The Trine bats totaled seven hits in game two with a pair of players finishing with two hits. Senior Zach Schulte (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren Cousino) had two hits in three plate appearances and also scored a run. Sophomore Joe Fiorucci (St. Joseph, Mich./St. Joseph) finished two-of-five and also had a run scored.
Heller and Rivet both ended the game with a base hit with Heller going one-of-four overall, while Rivet went one-of-three to go along with his RBI.
A total of seven pitchers saw action for Trine with junior Shawn Ligocki (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) getting the start. He was credited with the loss after pitching four complete innings and gave up three runs, no earned, on seven hits and struck out three batters.
Trine will host Alma (Mich.) College in the first of two MIAA doubleheaders beginning on Saturday, Apr. 6 at Jannen Field. The first pitch of game number one is set for 1 p.m.