Kenosha, Wisconsin – The Wheaton baseball team opened a three-game weekend series against Carthage (15-23, 10-20 CCIW) on Friday night with a lot of offense as the Thunder bested the Firebirds 19-5. Wheaton's 19 runs tonight is the most in a game for the Thunder in more than two years; since Wheaton defeated Western Connecticut State 24-13 on March 12, 2019.

Wheaton improves to 14-24 on the season, including a 10-20 overall record in CCIW play. Both Carthage and the Thunder enter tomorrow's regular season ending doubleheader with identical 10-20 conference and tied in league play. Tomorrow's twinbill, in addition to several more of this weekend's CCIW series will play a key role in determining seeding for next week's nine-team CCIW Tournament that will be played at Wheaton's Lee Pfund Stadium and North Central.

Wheaton scored at least one run in six of tonight's seven innings in Kenosha. The Thunder plated 19 runs, on 20 hits, with three errors. Carthage recorded five runs, on eight hits, with three errors. Senior starting pitcher Jacob Garrity (2-5) was impressive in a complete game victory for the Thunder. In seven innings Garrity (PICTURED LEFT) scattered eight hits. He allowed five runs, including just three earned runs, on seven strikeouts with two walks.

Eight Wheaton batters had at least two hits in tonight's victory. Senior Joel Pierce was 3-for-4, with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. Shortstop Matthias Haggerty was 3-for-4, hitting two doubles and two runs scored. Centerfielder Ben Weaver was 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. Leftfielder Mason Packwood was 2-for-4, with four runs scored and three RBI. Packwood hit a two-run home run and a double for the guests. Catcher Tyler Weiner was 2-for-3, with two walks, three runs scored and two RBI. Jesse Welch was 2-for-3 with two walks, three RBI and two runs scored. Graham Core was 2-for-4, with two RBI and a run scored.

Wheaton scored twice in the top of the first inning to gain the early 2-0 lead tonight. Welch scored the game's first run on a Carthage error and Pierce drove in Wheaton's second run of the inning with a RBI double. The Thunder extended its lead to 4-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Weaver drove in both of Wheaton's runs in the second inning with a two-run single down the leftfield line.

Wheaton added four more runs in the top of the third inning to increase its lead to 8-0. Welch hit a two-run single to right centerfield in the third to highlight the inning for the guests. The fourth inning was the only scoreless inning for the Thunder tonight. Pierce had a bunt single in the inning and Haggerty hit one of his two doubles.

Wheaton extended its lead to 9-0 with a run in the top of the fifth inning as Weaver hit a RBI-single for the Thunder. Carthage reached the scoreboard with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to trim the Thunder advantage to 9-4.

Haggerty led off the sixth inning with a double. Two batters later, Packwood (PICTURED RIGHT belted a two-run homer over the fence in leftfield to move Wheaton's lead to 11-4. Carthage scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut Wheaton's lead to 11-5.

Wheaton unloaded for eight runs in the top of the seventh inning to position the club to end the game in the seventh via the run rule. Weiner hit a two-run triple for the Thunder in the inning. Core and pinch hitter Josiah Livingston each collected two-run doubles. Packwood hit a RBI-double in the seventh and Harrison Stanton drove in a run with a single. Garrity kept the Firebirds off the scoreboard in the seventh inning to end the game and earn his second complete game of the season.