Game 1 Boxscore

Game 2 Boxscore

Winter Haven, Fla. – The Wheaton College baseball team opened up its season by splitting a doubleheader with Eastern Nazarene College on Saturday. The Thunder won the first game 17-4 and lost the second game 8-4.

Wheaton ran its record to 1-1 on the year while Eastern Nazarene is 2-2.

After breaking almost every offensive team record the past two years, the Thunder bats didn't take long to get hot in the first game. Wheaton seized the lead for good with a four-run second inning on an RBI triple by Charlie Antal, an RBI single by Ryan Miller and a two-run single by Justin Zeller.

The Thunder hitters continued to show good patience and discipline at the plate. Wheaton blew up for eight runs on only two hits in the fourth inning to chase ENC starting pitcher Joe Steinwedell. Brian Kolb picked up two RBI in the inning by drawing a pair of bases-loaded walks.

In total, the Thunder banged out 17 runs on 12 hits in the game. Miller went 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBI. Zeller batted 2-for-5 with four RBI. Drew Golz made his Wheaton debut by going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Antal and Kolb added two RBI each.

Matt MaLossi got the win in three innings of relief, allowing one unearned run and striking out three. Steinwedell took the loss in 3-2/3 innings, allowing nine hits, 13 runs (11 earned), three walks and five strikeouts.

With daylight fading on a clear, cool day, the second game of the doubleheader proceeded at a much more brisk pace.

This time, it was Eastern Nazarene who capitalized on miscues. In the second inning, a two-out strikeout resulted in the runner reaching first base. The Lions then scored four unearned runs to grab a 5-1 lead.

ENC scored three more in the third inning to take an 8-3 lead. Wheaton got its early runs on a solo homer by Kolb in the first inning and a two-run homer by Josh Weaver in the third inning - both to right field.

Steve Oehlschlager threw a complete game for the Lions and kept the Wheaton hitters off balance all game. Oehlschlager worked ahead in the count almost every batter, using a live fastball and sharp curveball.

But the Thunder had one last chance to get back in the game in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, Wheaton scored a run thanks to three-straight hits, followed by a walk to load the bases. However, the Lions ended the rally with a strikeout to end the game

Kolb, Zeller and Weaver combined to go 9-for-12 with two homers and four RBI. Weaver 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI.

John Little took the loss on the mound, allowing 10 hits, eight runs (four earned), one walk and five strikeouts in five innings of work.

Oehlschlager earned the victory while surrendering 11 hits, four runs and one walk to go with nine strikeouts.

The Thunder continues its spring trip in Florida with a Monday doubleheader against Aurora University starting at 3:00 PM (ET).