GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Geneva baseball team rallied from an 11-run deficit versus Thiel College in game one on Saturday, defeating the Tomcats 13-12 before dropping game two 5-3. The split give the GTs a 13-13 record overall, 5-9 in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play.

It appeared as though game one was over very early on. The Tomcats tagged Geneva for 11 runs in the first three innings while holding the GTs to zero runs of their own. Down 11-0 after three, however, the Golden Tornadoes rallied.

Their comeback began in the top of the fourth when senior Kirk Bearjar doubled to lead off the inning. Back-to-back singles from freshman Luke Troxell and junior Bradley McGuire loaded up the bases with one out, and then a hit-by-pitch and passed ball allowed Bearjar and Troxell to cross home plate. Junior Michael Twigg hit an opposite-field single to score two more runs later in the inning, and Geneva appeared to have some momentum going.

Sophomore Mikey Crandall took over on the mound for Geneva at the end of the second inning, and he pitched into the fifth, holding the Tomcats at bay for the most part as the men began to mount their comeback attempt.

Geneva struck for four more runs in the sixth inning. Three consecutive walks and a hit-by-pitch to start the frame pushed one run across for the GTs, and then another scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Jason Triscila. Bearjar launched another double a few moments later to bring in juniors Hank Fedullo and Noah Michal, and all of the sudden the game seemed much closer than it had 20 minutes prior.

Thiel scored one run in the bottom of the frame, but Geneva came right back in the seventh. Trailing 12-8, the Golden Tornadoes got the inning started with a Troxell double, and after a Tomcat error and another hit-by-pitch, the men had the bases loaded again. Twigg brought Troxell in on a fielder's choice, and then Triscila was hit to send across another run. The Golden Tornadoes couldn't score any more the remainder of the inning, but they had pulled within two runs.

Sophomore Marco Chenet singled to lead off the eighth, but after two Geneva strikeouts it appeared as though he might be stranded. The GTs pulled back, however, getting consecutive singles from Fedullo and sophomore James Zugai to score Chenet. Twigg was next to the plate, and he doubled in both runners, giving Geneva a 13-12 lead, their first of the game.

Junior Kaden Peeples took the mound in the bottom of the eighth, and retired three of the four batters he faced, with one reaching on an error. He then put out the side in order in the ninth inning, clinching the 11-run comeback for the men.

Junior Tyler Lemansky earned the win for the GTs after pitching 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Peeples was credited with the save after 2.0 scoreless innings of his own, striking out two. Twigg had a monster game at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, five RBIs, and two stolen bases. Bearjar and Troxell each had two doubles as well.

Game two started slowly for Geneva as well, with Thiel once again going ahead early by scoring three runs in the first inning. Sophomore CJ Jackson got one back for Geneva with an RBI-single in the second inning, and then a sacrifice fly by Bearjar in the third frame scored Triscila from third. Freshman Logan Middendorf knocked an RBI-single into left-center in the fourth inning, and the game was tied at three.

Freshman starter Dakota Dick kept Thiel off the board in innings two through six, keeping the game close. Unfortunately, the Tomcats plated two in the bottom of the seventh, and the men could not complete their second comeback of the day, falling 5-3.

Triscila was impressive at the plate in game two, going 4-for-5 with a double to lead the GTs offensively. Chenet also knocked a double in game two.

The Golden Tornadoes will return to play this Saturday, April 18, traveling to Chatham for an afternoon/evening doubleheader against the Cougars. Game one is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).