Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

Auburndale, Fla. – After unearned runs decided game one, the Wheaton College baseball team bounced back in game two to earn a doubleheader split with Aurora University on Monday. The Spartans won the first game 8-3 and the Thunder won the second game 12-7.

Wheaton kept its record even at 2-2 while Aurora is now 2-3.

Aurora got on the board first in game one by loading the bases in the first inning and scoring two runs on a throwing error. A solo homer by Kirk Williamson in the third inning stretched the lead to 3-1.

Wheaton tied things back up at 3-3 by the bottom of the third inning. Drew Golz knocked an RBI single in the first inning, followed by an Josh Weaver's RBI single and Danny Pyne's RBI groundout in the third.

The status quo was maintained the rest of the way until the top of the seventh inning. Aurora loaded the bases again with two outs and then came through with consecutive two-run singles to put the Spartans ahead for good. In total, Wheaton surrendered seven unearned runs in the game.

Ryan Miller, Brian Kolb and Weaver all had two hits each to contribute to Wheaton's game total of nine hits. The Thunder defense also made four errors.

John Pohl took the loss in two innings of relief, allowing five unearned runs on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Dan McCarthy got the complete game win for Aurora on the mound. He gave up nine hits and three runs with one walk and four strikeouts.

In the second game, it didn't take long for Wheaton's offense to jump all over Aurora starting pitcher Alexx Dunk. The freshman lefty didn't make it out of the first inning, surrendering four runs and four walks while totaling one out.

However, Aurora struck right back  in the bottom of the first inning. The 4-0 Thunder lead was wiped out as Joe Singraber hit a grand slam to knot the score back up.

With the score standing at 6-6 in the fifth inning, Wheaton got back on top by capitalizing on Aurora mistakes. Pyne led off the inning by reaching on a dropped fly ball and was driven in on an RBI fielder's choice by Charlie Antal. Justin Zeller and Weaver then drew bases-loaded walks to plate two more runs later in the inning.

The Thunder proceeded to pad the lead in the final two frames. Freshman third baseman Trey Martin knocked his first collegiate home run with a blast in the sixth inning that cleared the left field wall by about 25 feet. Miller then scored Brian Whartnaby with a long double that hit the warning track in dead center field.

Weaver added an insurance run the seventh as the senior designated hitter turned on a 2-2 fastball and blasted it over the left field fence.

Miller went 4-for-5 with an RBI in game two. Weaver, Golz and Zeller all totaled two RBI each. Martin and Whartnaby tallied two hits each.

Steve Dennison got the victory in his first start of the season. The junior lefty threw five innings, allowing six runs (five earned), five hits, with six walks and five strikeouts.

Shawn Gorsline took the loss in relief for the Spartans. The senior gave up five hits and four runs (two earned) in four innings of work.

The Thunder continue its spring trip in Florida with a 3:00 PM game vs. Mount St. Mary College on Tuesday.