ALBION, Mich. - It was a hard fought two games for the Trine University baseball team, but in the end they came up just short as they were swept by Albion College, dropping both games of their conference doubleheader by the score of 3-2. The losses drop the Thunder to 8-9 on the season and 2-4 in the MIAA.
Game one saw the Britons take an early lead as they plated a run in both the second and third innings, with their run in the second coming with two outs.
The Thunder would score their first run in the sixth inning when senior Ryan Smith (Danville, Ind./Danville) doubled down the left field line. Then with two outs, junior Steven Cornett (Bremen, Ind./Bremen) singled to center scoring Smith from second.
Trine would tie the game in the top of the seventh as senior Craig Rinkes (Medina, Ohio/Medina) led off the inning with a single to left and then Matt Zurbriggen (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) laid down the sacrifice bunt to move Rinkes to second. Senior Josh Rivera (Somonauk, Ill./Somonauk) would score Rinkes on a single to right after falling behind in the count 0-2.
Albion would score the winning run in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff walk and a Thunder error gave the Britons two runners on with no outs.
Cornett and Rinkes led the Thunder offense in game one as each went 2-3 as both teams collected eight hits in the game.
Senior Mike Sentman (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) started for the Thunder going 4 2/3 innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out two. Junior Nick Cocanower (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) came on to pitch 2/3 an inning allowing just one walk. Junior Phil Stakely (Ostrander, Ohio/Buckeye Valley) suffered the loss for the Thunder pitching 2/3 of an inning, allowing an earned run and two walks. Sophomore Jeremy Spalding (Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Central Catholic) pitched the final 1/3 of an inning for the Thunder, allowing the final hit of the game.
In the second game, it was the Thunder who got out to the early lead as they scored in the top of the first. With two outs, Smith singled up the middle and would come around to score after back-to-back singles by freshman Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) and Cornett.
The Britons would answer back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning as they led off with three consecutive singles to start the inning before starter, junior Kale Popp (Rennsselaer, Ind./Kankakee Valley), was able to record the final three outs.
Albion would score another run in the second aided by a two out walk.
Trine would tie the game in the fourth as Cornett led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Cornett would move to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rinkes and then score on a suicide squeeze bunt by senior Nick Beitler (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak`).
Albion would get the game-winner in the fifth after a one out walk was followed by a double and a single.
Trine would get runners on in both the sixth and seventh innings but were unable to advance them beyond second base.
Cornett would again lead the Thunder offense along with Smith as both went 2-3 at the plate and scored a run. Cornet also recorded an RBI in the game.
On the mound, Popp earned the loss while going 4 2/3 innings allowing two earned runs, scattering seven hits while striking out two and walking four. Cocanower came on to pitch an inning of relief giving up two hits and one strikeout. Senior Phil Cappelletty (Tipton, Mich./Adrian) pitched the final 1/3 of an inning.
The two teams will go right back at it as the Thunder host the Britons for a doubleheader on April 1 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
