Tucson, Ariz. – The Wheaton baseball team used quality pitching and timely defense to earn a 1-0 victory against Hamline University on the third day of its spring break trip. The Thunder varsity squad is off until Friday when the team plays Crown College in a doubleheader.

The Thunder scored one run, on five hits, with no errors, and the Pipers had zero runs on three hits, with no errors. Freshman Jamin Van Grouw (1-0) was outstanding today as he earned his first collegiate win in seven innings of work.  Van Grouw allowed zero runs, scattering three hits, with just one walk and four strikeouts. Josh Ortiz worked one inning of scoreless relief as he did not allow hit, struck out one batter and walked one. Senior JD Van Hook earned his second save of the season in one inning of work. He did not allow a run or a base hit, struck out one and did not allow a walk.

Van Grouw did not allow a hit through the first three innings. Hamline's first hit came on a single through the right side to lead of the fourth inning. Thunder second baseman Nathan Hedlund quickly took care of the runner however, when in the next at be deftly snatched a scorching line drive for out number one and he then threw over to first base to get the runner at first who left on contact for a critical double play. Third baseman Chris Lynam also aided Van Grouw on the leadoff batter in the seventh inning as he snagged a hot shot to the left side of the infield and threw out the runner at first in continuing the strong day for pitching and defense.

Wheaton broke the scoreless tie in the top of the eighth inning to gain the 1-0 lead. Tyler Burr drew a leadoff walk. Burr stole second base later in the inning, and after the stolen base he motored home on a RBI-single through the left side of the infield on a timely hit by sophomore Jack Gill. Ortiz and Van Hook each kept Van Grouw's scoreless effort intact with their respective scoreless innings.