GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- The Trine University baseball team was defeated by Calvin (Mich.) University in a pair of one-run games, 4-3 and 5-4, in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Calvin (15-14, 10-8 MIAA) scored the game's first run in the bottom of the third inning of the opening game on a run-scoring single that was set up by a double with two outs in the previous at-bat. But the lead didn't last long as Trine (6-21, 7-11 MIAA) answered in the top half of the third frame that began with a back-to-back hits, including a lead-off double by sophomore Adam Stefanelli (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North) and was followed by a base hit by fellow sophomore Matt Weis (Trenton, Ill./Triad). Following the hit by Weis, senior Joe Fiorucci (St. Joseph, Mich./St. Joseph) reached base via a defensive error, but managed to drive in Steffanelli from third to make it a 1-1 game. The Thunder then took the lead two batters later when freshman Dalton Nikirk (Bedford, Ind./Bedford North Lawrence) hit a single that scored Weis and gave Trine a 2-1 advantage.
The lead remained at a run for Trine until the bottom of the fifth when the Knights plated a run as the result of consecutive defensive errors to even the score at 2-2. The two teams remained at a stalemate until the seventh inning when Trine got a runner into scoring position and later scored on another RBI-single by Nikirk to put the Thunder back out in front, 3-2. Calvin began its half of the seventh with a lead-off double that was then followed by a base hit on a bunt attempt that put runners at the corners. In the next Calvin at-bat, the Knights scored the game-tying run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-3. After a stolen base advanced the runner and set up Calvin with another runner in scoring position, a single to left field gave the runner on second the ability to score and clinch a 4-3 win for the Knights.
Offensively, both teams ended game one with seven hits. Trine had two players finish with multiple hits in Weis and Nikirk. Weis had two hits in three at-bats to go along with a pair of runs scored. Nikirk ended up two-of-four at the plate and the two RBI.
Senior pitcher Adam Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich./Hackett Catholic Prep) pitched his third straight complete game, but ended up with the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits and struck out nine in six and two-thirds innings.
In game two, both teams traded runs in the first and second innings with Trine's runs coming on separate wild pitches in both innings with runners already on first and third base for a 2-2 tie.
Trine broke the tie with a run in the top of the third that was set up by a single from junior Brenden Warner (Richland, Mich./Hackett Catholic Prep) who later moved up to second base via a balk. Following a Trine strikeout, senior Shayne Devine (Valparaiso, Ind./Portage) connected on a double which allowed Warner to score to make it a 3-2 game.
The Thunder added yet another run in the fourth thanks to another RBI-double, this time by Fiorucci to extend the margin to 4-2. But Calvin answered the run with a run of its own thanks to a single with a runner on third base to creep back to within a run, 4-3.
Calvin's run in the fourth was part of three unanswered scores as the Knights went on to add a single run in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to lead, 5-4.
In the Trine seventh, the Thunder got a runner on base by way of a walk and with only one out. But the game concluded on a double play ending the Thunder's chances at possibly tying the game and gave the win to Calvin by final score of 5-4.
As a team, Trine recorded its second straight game with seven hits and had one player with a multi-hit performance in Warner. Warner finished two-of-four overall and also scored one of Trine's runs. Five other players each recorded a hit in the loss.
Four Trine pitchers saw playing time with senior Conner Dove (St. Joe, Ind./Eastside) getting the start and pitched five complete innings to allow four runs, three earned, on 10 hits and had two strikeouts in a no decision. Freshman Cam Nagel (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) replaced Dove and ended up as the pitcher of record giving up a run on two hits.
Trine will conclude its MIAA series against Calvin tomorrow (Saturday, May 1) with a doubleheader at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind. The first game of the twinbill is slated for 1 p.m.
