LAKE MYRTLE, Fla. – On the first day of the Trine University baseball team's spring break trip, the Thunder were downed by John Carroll University in both games of a doubleheader. Game one went to the Blue Streaks 8-1 while game two saw John Carroll defeat Trine 8-3.

These are the first two losses on the Thunder ledger in 2023 and they hold a record of 3-2 overall. The Blue Streaks move to 4-1 on the young season.

GAME ONE RECAP:

The offense struggled early in the opening game of Trine's spring break trip. The Thunder were without a baserunner until the sixth inning, but starting pitcher Cam Nagel had a stout performance on the bump himself to keep the Blue Streaks in check.

John Carroll was able to plate a run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a leadoff double and immediate RBI single, however a timely double play kept the damage to a minimum. Nagel would not allow another hit until the bottom of the fourth inning and a pickoff move from catcher Matt Weis to first baseman Dalton Nikirk helped to put another zero on the board.

In the top of the sixth, Daniel Rumberger broke up the potential no-hitter by the Blue Streaks with a single through the left side of the infield. Weis was able to beat out a bunt for a hit as well and Matthew Martin sacrificed himself to put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. A groundout by the leadoff hitter Jacob Medvescek would do the job and tie the game at 1-1.

John Carroll would answer big time in the bottom of the inning with three homeruns, including a grand slam, to reclaim the lead 8-1. Nikirk led off the seventh with a single on the infield and advanced to second base via a balk, but he was left stranded in the loss.

Nagel (0-1) struck out five through 5.1 innings, but allowed eight hits and four earned runs after the tumultuous start to the sixth inning. Relief pitcher Robert Kortas was responsible for the four remaining runs.

GAME TWO RECAP:

The struggle in the batter's box continued for the Thunder in game two of the day as the team waited until the fifth inning for their first hit. Josh Hoogewerf began the contest on the mound and threw three shutout innings to keep the game scoreless at that point.

The long ball would once again haunt Trine as three Blue Streak hitters went deep on consecutive plate appearances to make it 4-0. The Thunder got one back after Easton Rhodes led off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a walk, followed by a single from Rumberger that moved the runner to third. A double play would scratch a run across for the team to make it 4-1.

Trine gave that run right back in the top of the sixth (unearned), but two crossed the plate for the Thunder in the bottom half of the frame. Adam Stefanelli, Joel Walton and Nikirk loaded the bases by going walk-single-walk and Rhodes manufactured a run by pulling a single through the right side of the John Carroll infield. A base on balls by Tyler Beyke pulled the team to within two at 5-3.

The Blue Streaks were able to pick apart the Trine bullpen by gathering three more runs on five hits in the top half of the seventh to extend their lead and put the game out of reach. A Kortas double with two outs in the seventh was not enough to spark a rally and the game ended at 8-3.

Hoogwerf (0-1) was saddled with the loss in the game after 5.0 innings of work and six punchouts. Joseph Closson tossed an inning of relief work which saw his only run given up cross the plate unearned. Rhodes and Beyke each reached base twice in the game, once on a hit and once on a walk.

Action from the Sunshine State continues on Monday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. when the team squares off with Saint Vincent College.