BOXSCORE
Carol Stream, Ill. – The Thunder baseball team picked up a non-conference win on Tuesday afternoon at Legion Field with a 14-11 victory against Benedictine. Wheaton is now 16-9 overall and the Eagles fall to 14-12. The Thunder will be off until Friday when it resumes conference play with a single nine-inning game against Illinois Wesleyan at 3 PM on Legion Field (LIVESTATS).
Wheaton earned the victory today under windy conditions with 14 runs, on 18 hits, with four errors and Benedictine scored 11 runs, on 11 hits, with four errors. Wheaton scored twice in the second inning and plated five in the fourth to jump out to a 7-2 lead. The Thunder lead bulged to 11-2 through five six innings. However, Benedictine rallied by scoring five unearned runs in the seventh inning and the Eagles scored four earned runs in the eighth to tie the game at 11-11.
A leadoff double by Wheaton shortstop Brian Kolb sparked Wheaton to three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Pitcher Brandon Bradley (PICTURED LEFT) took the mound in the ninth inning, striking out two to thwart any possible Benedictine rally.
Freshman first baseman Danny Pyne (PICTURED RIGHT) continued his hot hitting with a 3-for-4 effort, scoring three times. Senior Matt Bradley posted a 3-for-5 effort, with two RBI and a run scored. Kolb was 3-for-5, with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore outfielder Josh Weaver went 3-for-5, with three runs scored and a RBI. Sophomore Mark Price was 2-for-3, with a RBI, a run scored and a double. Freshman Charlie Antal collected two hits, with a walk and a run driven in.
Junior starting pitcher Ed McCaskey pitched five solid innings for the Thunder. He allowed one earned run, on three hits, with a strikeout. Freshman Zach Fallon tossed one inning of relief, allowing one run, on two hits. John Pohl gave up five unearned runs in 2/3 of an inning. Sophomore John Little pitched 1-1/3 innings of relief, allowing four runs, on six hits, with two strikeouts. Bradley (1-0) closed the door on the Eagles in his one inning of work, his first action of the season since returning from an injury.
