The Thomas More University baseball team took a tough loss on Sunday afternoon, February 5, against Rio Grande, with a final score of 11-3. This defeat brings the Saints’ overall record to 1-2.
The game started with Rio Grande scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Storm would add four more runs in the top of the fourth inning, increasing their lead to 6-0. Despite the deficit, the Saints were not discouraged and continued to fight. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Jeremy Ward, a first-year player from Cincinnati, Ohio, doubled to left center, allowing senior Cooper Daniels to score and put the Saints on the board for the first time (1-6). Graduate student Bailey Martin, from Burlington, Kentucky, followed suit with a double to center field, bringing in Ward to make it 2-6. Sophomore AJ Enginger from Hamilton, Ohio, then singled to right center, reducing the deficit to three runs (3-6). Unfortunately, Rio Grande would score five more runs in the top of the eighth inning, ending the game with a final score of 3-11.
At the plate, Bailey Martin had a solid performance, going 2-5 with one double and an RBI. Tucker Gray, a sophomore from Williamstown, Kentucky, was 1-1, while Gunner Kalkhoff and Ben Duncan were each 1-2.
On the mound, the Saints had several pitchers take the field throughout the game. Mason Berger, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, pitched 3.1 innings, giving up five earned runs off five hits and striking out six. Senior Hunter Nantz from London, Kentucky, pitched 1.2 innings, giving up one earned run off four hits. Zach Dugan, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, pitched 2.1 innings, allowing four earned runs off five hits and striking out one. First-year players Tony Spangler and Jack Perdue also saw some action, with Spangler pitching 0.2 innings and Perdue pitching 1 inning.
The Saints will return to action next Friday, February 11, in their home opener against Trinity Christian in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm ET at Thomas More Stadium. Despite the recent setback, the team is ready to regroup and come out strong in their upcoming games.