ANGOLA, IND. -- The Trine University baseball team lost both games of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader against Calvin (Mich.) College, 9-8 and 12-2, in the conference opener at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind.
In game one, Calvin (7-8, 3-3 MIAA) took a commanding lead in the top of the third inning by platting eight runs. But Trine (7-7, 0-2 MIAA) mounted a rally in the bottom of the fifth with eight runs of its own that included a pair of two-RBI singles by seniors Cale Hall (Orleans, Ind./Orleans) and Jacob Heller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Prairie Heights), both with bases loaded, to even the score at 8-8.
The Knights regained the lead in the sixth on a ground out with runners on second and third base to take a 9-8 margin. Trine would have an opportunity in the seventh to tie or take the lead with runners on first and third, despite beginnig the inning with back-to-back outs. But Calvin tallied the final out it needed before the Thunder could get any runs across home plate to hold on for the one-run victory.
Trine had 11 hits in the game with junior Nick Ricci (Hebron, Ind./Crown Point) going a perfect three-of-three and also scored a run. Heller and sophomore Shayne Devine (Valparaiso, Ind./Portage) also had multi-hit efforts and both finished two-of-five at the plate. Heller also scored a run and two RBI to go along with his two hits and Devine added a run scored.
Cale Hall finished the game one-of-four with a run scored and a pair of RBI.
Sophomore Adam Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich./Hackett Catholic Prep) started the game and pitched two and two-thirds innings with eight runs allowed, three earned, to go along with three strikeouts in a no decision. Freshman Austin Nuessgen (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) ended up with the loss after also pitching two and two-thirds innings, but would allow the go-ahead run on two hits and tallied three strikeouts.
In game two, Calvin took the early lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning and then three more in the third to lead, 5-0. Trine got one of the runs back in the fourth that began with consecutive base hits by junior Jake Roddy (Angola, Ind./Angola) and Devine. The Thunder then hit into back-to-back ground outs, but the second out would plate Roddy and made it a 5-1 ball game.
The Knights then broke the game open in the top of the fifth with five runs to increase the margin to 10-1. Both teams traded runs in the seventh inning with Trine's run coming off the bat of senior Zach Schulte (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren Cousino) on a pinch hit opportunity and scored Cale Hall.
Calvin then tacked on another run in the eighth to make it a 10-run deficit for the Thunder, 12-2. The game was then called due to darkness and resulted in Calvin getting the win and the two-game sweep.
Trine posted seven hits in the nightcap with Cale Hall finishing as the lone Thunder player with multiple hits. Cale Hall had two base knocks in four at-bats in addition to the run scored. Five other players each ended the game with a base hit.
On the mound, junior Shawn Ligocki (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) started the game, but suffered the loss after going two-and-a-third innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits.
Trine and Calvin are scheduled to conclude the four-game series on Saturday, Mar. 30 with a twinbill at Calvin. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Mich.