GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Justin Swider hit a grand slam against Augustana.
Carol Stream, Ill. – The Thunder baseball team dropped a 9-8 decision to
#16-ranked Augustana on Friday night at Wheaton's Lee Pfund Stadium. Tonight's game was the first game of a three-game series between the two conference foes. The series will wrap up tomorrow with a doubleheader at Augustana (25-6/11-4 CCIW). Wheaton is now 10-21 on the year, with a 6-9 record in CCIW play.
The Vikings earned tonight's win with nine runs, on 15 hits, with two errors and Wheaton scored eight runs, on 10 hits, with two errors. Wheaton starting pitcher
Evan Rahn worked seven innings, allowing five runs, on 11 hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Casey Moll (1-2) took the loss in 2/3 of an inning of relief as he allowed four runs, including three earned runs, on four hits.
Scott Mancini (PICTURED LEFT) pitched the final 1-1/3 inning, tossing scoreless baseball, with no hits, one walk and no strikeouts.
Phil Tuttle was 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Justin Swider was 2-for-5, with four RBI and a run scored.
Augustana scored a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Wheaton plated three runs in the bottom of the second inning as
John Jensen-Johnson drove in two runs with a single and
Matt Schappell drove in an additional run. Augustana cut the Wheaton lead to 3-2 with a run in the top of the third inning.
Augustana regained the lead in a 5-3 lead thanks to three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Wheaton responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to retake the lead with a 7-5 lead. Wheaton loaded the bases in the seventh and
Justin Swider blasted a grand slam over the left field fence to dramatically give the hosts the lead.
The Vikings responded with four runs, all with two outs, in the top of the eighth inning to re-take the lead with a 9-7 advantage. Wheaton attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Tuttle (PICTURED RIGHT) drew a walk with one out and Swider hit a single to put runners at first and second.
Desmond Cato drew a walk to load the bases.
Kyle Mellinger hit the ball to the middle of the infield and Cato was out at second base, however on the throw to first in a double play attempt, the Vikings were unable to get Mellinger out and Tuttle scored, however, Swider was thrown out at third base, ending the game.
