BOXSCORE

Schaumburg, Ill. - The Thunder baseball team picked up its fourth consecutive victory with an 11-7 win against St. Francis (Ill.) on Wednesday in Wheaton's home opener at Alexian Field. Wheaton is now 9-3 on the season, while the Saints fall to 10-7.

Thunder senior Tim Urbanowicz (1-1) earned the victory in seven innings of work. Urbanowicz allowed five runs, on 12 hits, with four strikeouts. John Pohl pitched one inning of relief, allowing two runs, on three hits. Sophomore Matt MaLossi worked the final inning in relief, with a scoreless effort, allowing one hit.

Sophomore outfielder Justin Zeller led the offense, going 4-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Zeller belted one home run and added two doubles in the victory. Catcher Brian Whartnaby was 2-for-3, with a walk. Sophomore second baseman Ryan Miller was 2-for-4, with a homer, a double and a walk, three RBI and two runs scored. Shortstop Brian Kolb was 2-for-4, with two runs scored. Danny Pyne also had two base hits, including a double.

The Saints took an early lead with three runs in the top of the third inning; however, Wheaton countered with three runs in the bottom half of the opening inning to tie the game at 3-3. Miller led off the game with a home run over the leftfield fence. Kolb followed with a single and Zeller hit a home run to drive in Kolb. Sophomore Drew Golz hit into a fielder's choice that brought Zeller across the plate to tie the game at 3-3.

St. Francis regained the lead at 4-3 with a run in the top of the second inning. Wheaton took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-4 lead. Kolb led off the third inning for the Thunder with a single to right field and Zeller blasted a two-run home run to leftfield to give the hosts the advantage.

Wheaton extended its lead to 9-4 with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Miller hit a two-run double in the inning, while Zeller also drove in a run with a double and Kolb brought a run home with a sacrifice fly. St. Francis scored a run in the top off the seventh inning, however, Wheaton added two runs in the bottom of the seventh to give the Thunder a 9-5 lead. The Saints scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning, but Wheaton shut the door on the guests in the final two innings to give the 'Orange and Blue' its fourth consecutive win.

Wheaton will travel to Benedictine University on Thursday for a 4:30 PM matchup with the Eagles. On Saturday, Dominican University will host Wheaton in a 1 PM game at Alexian Field in Schaumburg. Both games can be heard online at THIS LINK.