AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Trine University baseball team concluded their spring break trip with a 6-5 victory over Dominican University on Saturday morning. The win puts the Thunder at 7-3 so far this season and the Stars sit at 7-4 overall.
After both sides went scoreless over the first two innings, Dominican was able to put up three runs thanks to a pair of errors defensively. In the top of the fourth, Trine would strike for one after Daniel Rumberger was hit by a pitch to lead-off the frame and Easton Rhodes hit an RBI double to right.
The Stars increased their lead to 5-1, but the Thunder would rebuttal with the final five runs of the ballgame to secure the victory. Starting pitcher Cam Nagel was able to settle in late in his outing and get through five innings before turning things over to a bullpen that put up zeros over the final four innings.
Four hits in the top of the fourth for Trine allowed them to get back to even at 5-5. Rumberger, Dalton Nikirk and Brody Bond all singled consecutively and miscues by the Dominican defense allowed the first two to score. With Bond on first, Rhodes was able to hit his second homerun of the season to begin a new game.
Jack Villarreal, Kade Keele and Cole Decker were each called upon and delivered for the team to get to the eighth where the Thunder took the lead. A bases loaded walk drawn by Brayden Basey allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate. Decker (1-0) returned to the mound in the eighth and retired the side. Noah Brettin came in for the ninth inning and slammed the door shut for his third save of the year.
Rhodes (3) and Nikirk (2) had multi-hit games for the team, led by Rhodes' seven total bases and three RBIs. Bond would reach base twice with a hit and walk. On the mound, Nagel was responsible for all seven strikeouts for Trine.
The Thunder will take on Franklin College for a three-game series beginning on Saturday, March 16 at noon.