BOXSCORE

Schaumburg, Ill. - The Thunder baseball team dropped the first game of a key three-game CCIW series with North Central on Friday afternoon at Alexian Field. The Cardinals topped the Thunder 11-3 in the contest. North Central scored 11 runs, on 11 hits, with two errors and Wheaton plated three runs, on 10 hits, with two errors.

North Central is now 22-5 on the season, with a 10-3 CCIW record. Wheaton is 20-10 overall and 7-6 in the CCIW. The two teams will conclude the weekend series on Saturday with a doubleheader in Naperville at noon.

Thunder starting pitcher Eric Albaugh (4-1) took his first collegiate loss in eight innings of work. Albaugh allowed eight runs, with seven earned runs, on nine hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. Sophomore# Matt MaLossi# worked one inning of relief, allowing three runs, on two hits, with three walks.

Sophomore centerfield Justin Zeller was 2-for-4 for the Thunder with a double and a run scored. Josh Weaver and Drew Golz were each 2-for-5 for the hosts. Ryan Miller was 1-for-2, with three walks and a run driven in. Danny Pyne and Charlie Antal each hit triples for the Thunder.

Cardinal starting pitcher Mike Kloss (5-1) tossed seven innings, allowing three runs, on eight hits, with four walks and 10 strikeouts. Kevin Krajewski earned his third save of the season in two innings of relief, as he held Wheaton scoreless, on two hits, with two walks and one strikeout.

North Central plated an unearned run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Wheaton tallied two runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. Thunder catcher Brian Whartnaby hit a one out-single in the second inning and he scored in the next at bat when Antal belted a triple down the leftfield line and Antal scored on the next at bat on a single to centerfield by Ryan Miller. North Central quickly regained the lead with a 3-2 edge as the Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning.

North Central extended its lead to 4-2 with a run in the fourth inning and added another in the top of the seventh for a 5-2 Cardinal lead. Wheaton cut the guests' lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning as Zeller led off with a bunt single and he scored three batters later when Pyne solidly connected with a triple to the gap in right centerfield. The Cadinals' offense continued to put pressure on Wheaton with a run in the eighth inning and North Central secured the 11-3 victory with five runs in the top of the ninth inning.