OLIVET, MICH. -- The Trine University baseball team looked to rally from a 9-0 deficit and scored a combined six runs in the final three innings, but fell short by a 9-6 margin in a single non-conference game against Olivet (Mich.) College at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet, Mich.
Trine (0-5) fell behind early as Olivet (2-6) plated five runs in the bottom of the first inning on a series of run-scoring hits, highlighted by a two-run double. The Comets added another run in their next round of at-bats thanks to a solo home run to start the second inning that made the score 6-0.
After a scoreless third frame, Olivet tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth and padded its lead with another score in the fifth to lead by a commanding 9-0 advantage.
The Thunder began to make their run in the top of the seventh with three runs that included a two-RBI triple by freshman Dalton Nikirk (Bedford, Ind./Bedford North Lawrence) in his first collegiate action of the season. Trine's other run came on a RBI-single by junior Trent Hey (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) earlier in the inning prior to the Nikirk triple.
In the top of the eighth, Trine put another run on the board when senior Joe Fiorucci (St. Joseph, Mich./St. Joseph) crossed home plate via a wild pitch with bases loaded which narrowed the gap a little further, 9-4, after eight innings.
Trine had a final chance to score more runs in the ninth and got two across on a single by sophomore Jeremy Roseen (Manhattan, Ill./Lincolnway West) and then a defensive error that plated sophomore Cory Erbskorn (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold). But the runs came with two outs and the game ended on a flyout to right field two batters later following the Erbskorn run allowing Olivet to hang on for the 9-6 final.
Trine recorded five hits in the game, all by five different players. Nikirk finished one-of-four in his debut to go along with the two RBI. Trent Hey went one-of-three on the day with a run scored and RBI and Roseen recorded his hit in his only official at-bat of the game in a pinch-hit opportunity that drove in a run. Erbskorn also went a perfect one-of-one as a pinch hitter in addition his run scored.
At pitcher, six Trine players saw time on the mound with junior Bryce Bloode (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) getting the start. Bloode also ended up as the pitcher of record after going three full innings and allowed six runs on eight hits and had one strikeout.
Trine will next play a four-game series against Wabash College with a pair of doubleheaders this weekend. The first doubleheader is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Mar. 20) with the first game set for a noon start.
