6/25/07

Thoma lands in Florida

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL. - Thomas More graduate Brad Thoma (West Carrollton, OH/West Carrollton) has found a home to continue his playing career.

     The infielder was recently signed by the Charlotte County Redfish of the South Coast League, where former major league All-Star Cecil Fielder is the manager. In his four games since joining the Redfish, Thoma has two hits in six at-bats and a double. The South Coast League is in its first year of existence.

     The Redfish play their home games in the Charlotte County Stadium, former spring training home of the Texas Rangers. For more information, click here.

Berndsen off to Solid Start

CINCINNATI, OH - Thomas More senior-to-be Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) is off to solid start in his second season with the Cincinnati Steam.

     Berndsen has won his first two starts with the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League team. The GLSCL is a wooden bat league that features collegiate players from all levels. In addition to his 2-0 record and 2.70 ERA, Berndsen is hitting .235.

     The right-hander was 5-3 with a 4.05 ERA for Thomas More this past season en route to earning second team all-conference honors. For more information on the Berndsen and the Steam, click here.

6/5/07

End of Season Awards Announced

Thomas More head coach Jeff Hetzer announced the end of the season awards following the 2007 season. The awards were voted on by the players and coaches.

     Junior designated hitter Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) was named offensive player of the year after leading the Presidents' Athletic Conference with eight homeruns, 87 total bases, 17 doubles and 50 runs batted in. He was also earned first-team All-PAC and Mideast Region honors this season.

     Senior Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) earned pitcher of the year honors for the Saints after finishing 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA. He was named second-team All-PAC and third-team Mideast Region.

     Seniors 3B Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and OF Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) shared the defensive player of the year. Brown, who holds the single-season and career stolen base records, led the PAC with 31 swipes this season, .was a first team All-PAC selection. He was fourth on the team with a .347 batting average, while scoring a PAC-high 51 runs from the lead-off position. Buchwald (.344 BA, nine doubles, 37 RBI) earned second-team all conference laurels.

     Freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned rookie of the year laurels after starting 32 games. He had the second highest batting average of the regular starters, hitting .351 on the season. He added five doubles, a triple and 21 RBI in his freshman season, while earning first team All-PAC honors.

     The Saints Award, which honors the player that epitomized Thomas More baseball, went to junior OF Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross).

     Thomas More finished the season sixth in the Mideast Region with a record of 26-11.

5/20/07

Ketterer, Walter named All-Region

Junior designated hitter Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) and senior pitcher Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) were two of 50 players selected to the 2007 Division III Rawlings - American Baseball Coaches Association Mideast Region team.

     Ketterer earned the first team nod, and will be eligible for All-America selection after he finished the season leading the Saints with a .429 batting average. He led the conference with eight homeruns, 87 total bases, 17 doubles and 50 runs batted in.

     Walter, a second team all-conference selection, earned third team laurels. He won his first six starts of the season before finishing the season at 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA.

     Thomas More finished the season 26-11.

05/14/07

Ketterer, Brown lead TMC contingent

Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) and junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badiin) led a Thomas More contingent of eight that earned Presidents' Athletic Conference honors. The duo picked up first-team laurels for the Saints.

     Brown, who holds the single-season and career stolen base records, led the PAC with 31 swipes this season.  He was fourth on the team with a .347 batting average, while scoring a PAC-high 51 runs from the lead-off position.

      Ketterer finished the season leading the Saints with a .429 batting average. He led the conference with eight homeruns, 87 total bases, 17 doubles and 50 runs batted in.

      Six Saints – senior 3B Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills/.344 BA, nine doubles, 37 RBI), senior P Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle/6-2, 2.95 ERA), junior P/1B Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder/.308, seven doubles, 21 RBI, 5-3, 4.05 ERA), junior OF Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park/.348, five doubles, five triples, 18 SB), sophomore P Kyle Wewe (Brookeville, IN/Franklin County/6-1, 4.31 ERA) and freshman SS Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder/.351, 21 RBI) – all earned second team honors.

05/11/07

Saints fall to Thiel

WASHINGTON, PA - Thomas More opened the 2007 Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament by falling to third-seed Thiel, 6-5, Thursday at Ross Memorial Park.
      The Saints (25-10) had the tying runs on base with one out in the ninth inning. But, a base running error ended the rally. Junior designated hitter Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) lined what appeared to be the tying double, but the center fielder hauled in the fly ball. Meanwhile, the runner on first had circled all the way to third, and was doubled up for the final out.
      The two teams matched zeroes through the first four innings before the Tomcats scored three runs in the fifth - the final two on a two-out single.
      Thomas More scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings with RBIs from senior Fred Reiss (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park).
      However, Thiel got to the Saints bullpen for two runs in the eighth and another run in the ninth to extend the lead. While, Thomas More matched the runs in the eighth and ninth, they couldn't get the extra run.
      Senior Brett Walter, 6-2, (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) suffered his second straight loss, allowing three earned runs in seven innings.
      Senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) went 3-for-4, while freshman Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) had two RBI - coming on a two-out double in the eighth.

05/08/07

TMC Overcomes 7-0 deficit

COLUMBUS, OH - For the second time this season, Capital has jumped out to a huge early lead on the Thomas More Saints. For the second time this season, the Crusaders had the lead evaporated leading to a defeat.

    The home standing Crusaders opened up a 7-0 lead after five innings, only to have Thomas More scored 10 runs over the next three innings to post the 10-9 non-conference victory.

     Back-to-back doubles from junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and freshman Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) chased home two Thomas More runs as they embarked on the comeback. Junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) drove home Kersting home with a single, and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior Brad McIntosh (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle).

     Kersting was on the middle of the offensive production in the sixth inning, producing a RBI single. Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) had the other RBI single. The Saints took the lead for good with a four-run eighth.

    Senior Frank Engoglia, 2-1, (Louisville/Seneca) earned the victory in relief, while freshman Alex Woodrey (Hamilton/Stephen T. Badin) picked up his first career save.

     Thomas More (25-9) will take on Thiel 3 p.m. Thursday to kick off the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament at Ross Memorial Stadium in Washington, PA.

05/06/07

Saints salvage Game Three

WASHINGTON, PA - Thomas More found its offense Sunday in salvaging the third game of the Saints' three-game series with Washington & Jefferson. After being limited to four runs on five hits in Saturday's doubleheader, Thomas More (23-8, 13-3 PAC) pounded out 14 hits in scoring eight runs to post the 8-7 victory over the Presidents' at Ross Memorial Stadium.

     The Saints will enter the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed, and W&J will be No. 1 virtue of the Presidents' series win. Thomas More will play No. 3 Thiel Noon Thursday, while Washington & Jefferson will host No. 4 Westminster at 4 p.m.

     Thomas More opened the game with four straight hits to plate three runs in the first inning to give starter Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) some breathing room. The host scored a run in the their half of the first, but the Saints answered on a two-out RBI triple from senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton). The speedy centerfielder finished the game 3-for-6 and a home run shy of the cycle. In addition, he swiped his 31st base of the season to break the school's single-season record.

     Wewe ran into some trouble in the fifth inning, and following a two-out, two-run single the Presidents' had crawled all the way back to tie the game at four. The deadlock didn't last long as Brown doubled home his second run of the day in the sixth. Washington & Jefferson hoped to keep the deficit at one when they intentionally walked junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) with two outs. However, the plan backfired as senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) laced a single up the middle to score another run.

     Much needed insurance runs were tacked on in the seventh inning as senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and freshman Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) went back-to-back to start the inning.

     The Presidents' weren't ready to concede the final game to the Saints as they scored three two-out runs in the eighth inning, and had the tying run on second base. But, the threat was ended by a groundout.

     Junior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of relief. He surrendered three hits and one earned run.

05/05/07

Two-out Magic helps, hurts Saints

WASHINGTON, PA - Just when the Thomas More Saints thought the had came from behind to steal game one with two two-out runs, Washington & Jefferson turned the tables to escape with the 3-2 victory. The Presidents' added a 6-2 win in nightcap to seal the top seed in the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament.

     Junior Brad Ketterer (Faifield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) laced a two-out double that gave Thomas More its only lead of the game in the top of the sixth inning. However, the President's put their leadoff batter on in the bottom of the inning. After starter Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) got two outs, including a strikeout of the PAC' leading hitter, W&J knotted the game with a single. After the runner stole second, he scampered home on another RBI single.

     Both teams fought to a scoreless tie through the first three innings of the second game before the wheels came off for Thomas More starter Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle). W&J touched him up for four runs in the fourth inning to hand Walter his first loss of the season. The Saints trimmed their deficit in half with two runs in the fifth inning, but the hosts reclaimed their four-run advantage with two runs in their half of the inning.

4/28/07

TMC Berns Yellow Jackets

4/27/07

Early Offense Boosts Saints

Thomas More scored 14 runs in the first four innings and cruised to the 15-7 Presidents' Athletic Conference victory over Waynesburg in the opener of the three-game series.

     Late errors allowed Waynesburg to score four unearned runs over the last two innings.

     It was two Yellow Jacket errors that allowed Thomas More to post five runs in the first. Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) started the inning with a walk, followed by a freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) single. A dropped fly ball scored the first run, then senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) connected on a two-run single. Two more runs scored on wild pitches.

    Another two-error inning aided the Saints in another five-run inning, and Thomas More led 12-0 after three innings.

    Fishburn and Riess led the way with 3-for-4 days and two RBI with Fishburn crossing the plate three times.

    Junior Pat Berndsen, 4-2, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) got the win with seven innings of work, striking out nine and allowing three earned runs.

    Sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) and senior Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) are scheduled to start Saturday in the doubleheader.

4/24/07

TMC drops key Regional Game

FLORENCE - In a key Mideast region game, Thomas More dug an early hole it couldn't get out losing to Transylvania, 11-4. Both teams entered the game ranked in the latest regional poll as TMC was seventh and the Pioneers eighth.

     Freshman Matt Klausing, 5-2, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) had his roughest outing of his career, allowing six earned runs in 1/3 of an inning. He faced eight batters in the outing and had three wild pitches and two walks. The appearance raised his ERA from 2.23 to 3.86. Sophomore Bryan Farrell (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) helped stem the tide and attempt to keep the Saints in the contest. The right-hander, who was scheduled to start Wednesday's game, went 5 2/3 inning and yielded two runs (one earned).

     Thomas More got one of those runs back in the bottom of the first off a senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) double. However, the Pioneers quickly responded with two runs in their half of the second.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) bounced a single off the third baseman's head to drive home a run, then freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) reached via an error to bring home another run in the second. A sacrifice fly in the fifth inning by junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) brought the Saints to within 8-4.

     A promising sixth inning had Saints on first and second with one out, and the top of the order. But, a pop out and line drive out snuffed out any thoughts of a big inning.

     Transylvania tacked on insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings for the seven-run cushion.

     Thomas More (20-6) will return to the diamond Wednesday in Delaware, OH for a non-conference game with Ohio Wesleyan.

4/22/07

Thomas More takes two of Three

LATROBE, PA - Senior Brad McIntosh (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) drove in a career-high six runs as Thomas More routed Saint Vincent, 21-5, to claim the rubbermatch of the their three-game series.

     Thomas More claimed the opener Saturday, 8-0, before losing the nightcap, 6-4. The Saints are currently 20-5 on the season, and will host nationally-ranked Transylvania Tuesday at Champion Window Field.

     The Saints had a 19-0 lead after four and a half innings before breezing to the resounding decision. Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) recorded his sixth long ball of the season, hitting 3-for-5 with three RBI, while freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) had a career-high four RBI. Freshman Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) each drove in three runs for Thomas More.

     Junior Pat Berndsen, 3-2, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned the win, allowing four earned runs in six innings.

     Senior Brett Walter, 5-0, (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) got the win in the opener, hurling a complete game five-hitter with five strikeouts.

     TMC broke open a scoreless game with a five-run fourth inning. Kersting laced a two-run single to get the ball rolling, then sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) added a two-run single of his own. The final run of the inning came off a sacrifice fly from senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton).

     The visitors added an insurance run in the fifth and two more in the sixth for the final margin.

     Wewe suffered his first loss of the season in the second game, yielding six earned runs in just four innings of work.

     The Bearcats took the early 3-0 lead after the first two innings, before the Saints pulled to within a run with single tallies in the third and fourth inning. However, Saint Vincent answered with two in its half of the fourth and one in the fifth to push the margin to four runs.

     Thomas More had bases loaded with one out in the seventh inning, but managed just one run as senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) reached on a fielder's choice. After the bases were re-loaded with a walk, a fly out ended the Thomas More threat.

04/17/07

Freedom signs Thoma

FLORENCE - Former Thomas More all-star and current assistant coach Brad Thoma (West Carrollton, OH/West Carrollton) was recently signed by the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League.

     Thoma was a four-year letterwinner at Thomas More and culminated his final season being named as the Presidents' Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

During his senior season, the right-hander led the PAC with a .428 batting average with six home runs and 45 RBI.

     "Being a local guy it is nice to come down here to play and still have the support of lots of family and friends," Thoma said.

     For his career, Thoma is Thomas More College's all-time leader in games played (159), at-bats (536), runs (158), hits (204); and was second in walks (75), RBI (143) and doubles (48).

     "Brad was being heavily recruited by other teams in the Frontier League," said Freedom pitching coach Chris Hook. "We wanted to be sure he had the opportunity to play in front of his friends and family here in Florence."

     The Freedom will kick off their spring training on Wednesday, May 9 - the day after the Saints wrap up their regular season with a non-conference game at Capital.

04/17/07

Havoc at the Top

DEFIANCE, OH - The top of the Thomas More order did the majority of the damage as the Saints breezed to a 11-2 non-conference win over Defiance.

    The first five batters in the lineup combined for 11 hits, seven runs scored and nine RBI as Thomas More tallied runs in just three innings. The solid pitching of freshman Matt Klausing, 5-1, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) helped TMC overcome six errors for the victory. The right-hander hurled a career-high seven innings, allowing two runs (none earned) and striking out four. All but one of his outs were recorded by groundout or strikeout.

    Relievers junior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) and freshman Joe Berling (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) combined for two innings of scoreless relief. 

    Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) capped a a three-run third with a two-out, two-run home run. Freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), who drove in a run in the third, added a two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning.

    A big blast off the bat of senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) brought home the final three runs of the contest.

    Fishburn and Ketterer each had three hits for the Saints, while senior Brad McIntosh (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) scored a team-high three runs.

   Thomas More (18-4), ranked sixth in the Great Lakes region, will travel to Latrobe, PA for a three-game series with Saint Vincent. The Bearcats, members of the Presidents' Athletic Conference, are NCAA Div. III provisional members - thus the games won't count toward PAC standings.

04/14/07

Sweep Completed

GROVE CITY, PA - The inability to make plays eventually hurt Grove City, helping lead the Saints to the three-game Presidents' Athletic Conference sweep of the Wolverines. Thomas More took advantage of three GCC errors to score four unearned runs in a five-run fifth inning.

     All three Grove City miscues came with two outs, aiding the Thomas More rally, and breaking a 2-2 deadlock.

     The Saints took the early lead in the first as senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) and freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) led the game with back-to-back singles. Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) doubled home a run and a sacrifice fly from senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) gave the Saints the two-run advantage.

     However, the lead was short-lived as the Wolverines scored twice in the bottom of the first, and the score remained tied until the fifth.

     Fishburn and Buchwald had two RBI each in the Thomas More win.

     Junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) evened his record at 2-2, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and four strikeouts.

    Thomas More (17-4 overall, 10-2 PAC) will travel to Defiance, OH Tuesday for non-conference action with the Yellow Jackets.

04/13/07

Power display vaults TMC

GROVE CITY, PA - Thomas More pounded out six homeruns, including three straight, as the Saints took both ends of their Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader with Grove City.

     The Saints scored in six of seven innings in posting the 13-3 game one victory, then went back-to-back-to-back in a four-run fifth lifting them to the 10-7 win in the nightcap. Junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) was the lone player to hit multiple long balls, connecting on one in each game.

     Grove City wildness helped aid the Saints in the opener as GCC pitching issued 11 walks, allowing TMC to score 13 runs on just seven hits. No Thomas More player recorded a multi-hit game. Berndsen and junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) drove in three runs each - Ketterer's coming on a three-run bomb in the sixth inning.

     Senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) reached base in four of his five plate appearances, driving in two runs and walking twice. Officially, he was 1-for-1 on the game.

     Senior Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) improved to 4-0 on the season, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits with three punchouts. Sophomore Bryan Farrell (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) pitched a perfect seventh.

     The trio of Buchwald, Berndsen and junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) helped break a 5-5 tie in the fifth inning of the second game with three straight long balls.

     Making his first career start, freshman Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) was 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Berndsen also had three hits and three RBI. Buchwald added a 3-for-4 day with two RBI and two runs scored.

     Sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) earned the win. He went just four innings, allowing five runs (one earned) with one strikeout. Farrell picked up his first career save, going two innings and allowing just one hit with one strikeout.

04/10/07

Sluggish Start Fades to Victory

FLORENCE - It took four innings for the Thomas More Saints to shake off their sluggish start to post a 10-3 non-conference victory over Centre Tuesday at Champion Window Field. Thomas More improved to sixth in the Great Lakes region in the newest poll released earlier in the day.

     As the game was tied at one after the fourth inning, the Saints were not getting the job done with runners in scoring position as they were just 1-of-9. But once TMC broke through, the flood gates really opened as nine runs crossed the plate in a three-inning span.

     The trio of junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park), junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) and senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) did most of the damage, hitting a combined 9-of-15 with five RBI and four runs scored. Buchwald had the biggest hit of the day with a two-out triple in the sixth inning - pushing the TMC lead to 6-1. It second career three-bagger came after the Saints failed to push a run across with runners on second and third with no outs. Back-to-back groundout preluded Buchwald's shot into the right field corner.

     Thomas More added four more runs in the seventh inning to round out the scoring.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) scored first run of the game as he scampered home following a strikeout. The third strike eluded the catcher, forcing a throw to first - allowing the speedster to cross the plate.

     Senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) also had two RBI on the day, going 2-for-3.

     Freshman Matt Klausing, 4-1, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned the win with six innings of work, striking out five and allowing just one earned run on two hits.

     Thomas More (14-4) is slated to travel to Springfield, OH to face regional opponent Wittenberg, and sophomore Bryan Farrell (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) is scheduled to make his fourth attempt at his first career varsity start.

4/7/07

McIntosh 4-for-4 in win

Senior Brad McIntosh (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) went 4-for-4 with four RBI as Thomas More took the final game of its Presidents' Athletic Conference three-game series with Bethany, 16-1. It was the second straight home series sweep for Thomas More.

     After falling behind early, Thomas More took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first on a senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) double. He added the second run, scampering home on a wild pitch. The Saints blew the doors off the game with a nine-spot in the third. Ketterer capped the inning he got rolling on a walk with a two-run home run. The first baseman hit .714 with two doubles, a home run and six RBI in the series sweep.

     Freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and McIntosh both drove in two runs in the third, while senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills), junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) all had RBI during the game-changing romp.

     McIntosh added a two-run double in the fourth, and senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) picked up an two-run double in the sixth for TMC.

     Berndsen, 1-2, earned his first victory of the season with six innings of four-hit baseball, yielding just one unearned run.

     Thomas More (13-4, 7-2 PAC) will play Centre 3 p.m. Tuesday at Champions Window Field. Freshman Matt Klausing, 3-1, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) is expected to make his fourth start of the season.

4/6/07

Saints Sweep Bethany

Using different formulas, the Thomas More baseball team posted a Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of Bethany, winning 9-2 and 4-1.

     In the first game, it was late offense as the Saints scored eight runs in their last two at-bats to post the victory. Then in the night cap, early offense ruled the roost as Thomas More picked up four runs in the first three inning en route to the win.

     TMC held a 1-0 lead for five innings before Bethany took the lead with two runs in the fifth inning. However, it didn't take the host long to reply as they put together three straight singles - the latter two of the bunt variety. Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) knotted the score with a sacrifice fly. A balk brought home the go-ahead run before sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) brought home two with a two-out single up the middle.

     Junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) tripled home two runs, and senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) singled home two more in the sixth.

     Senior Brett Walter, 3-0, (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) earned the win, hurling a complete-game seven-hitter - yielding two earned runs.

     Senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) blasted a two-run home run to cap a three-run third in the second game.

    It was all the run suppert Wewe, 5-0, would need as the right-hander went the distance. He allowed just one run on six hits with eight strikeouts.

4/5/07

Wewe earns National Honor

DALLAS, TX - Thomas More sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) was named National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association NCAA Division III Pitcher of the Week.
Wewe, a sophomore right-hander, fired the first complete game no-hitter of his career for the Saints on Saturday, defeating Presidents Athletic Conference rival Thiel College 6-0 to earn TMC a split of a doubleheader. He struck out seven batters in seven innings, improving to 4-0 on the season, with 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings and lowering his earned run average to 1.15. Wewe was the Presidents Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.

4/3/07

Big Inning lifts Thomas More

All it took was one big inning.

     With a six-run fourth inning, Thomas More eliminated three and a half innings of offensive futility and overcame defensive deficiencies in beating Capital, 8-6, in a non-conference rain-shortened affair.

     Capital raced out to a 5-0 lead thanks to three errors which allowed three unearned runs to cross the plate. Meanwhile, Thomas More was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position through the first three innings.

     The tide started to change when senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) led the fourth off with a double and senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) followed with a home run. Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) added an RBI single and junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) added a two-run single as the Saints took the lead for good.

     A bit of wildness nearly helped the Crusaders gain the advantage as two strikeouts were surrounded by three walks. Junior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) was summoned from the bullpen, and promptly got a fly ball to end the threat. It allowed him to earn his second save of the season.

     Ketterer doubled home a must-needed insurance run in sixth before each team added single runs in the seventh prior to the rain bringing the game to a halt.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) swiped three bases to bring his total to 19.

     Freshman Matt Klausing (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) raised his record to 3-1, allowing five runs (two earned) in five innings of work and six strikeouts.

     Thomas More (10-4) will get back into Presidents' Athletic Conference action when they host Bethany this weekend in a three-game series. Sophomore Kyle Wewe and senior Brett Walter are expected to throw in Friday's doubleheader.

4/1/07

Saints drop Game, Series

GREENVILLE, PA - With the tying run 90 feet away with less than two outs, Thomas More couldn't bring home the equalizer in losing the rubber game of its Presidents' Athletic Conference three-game series with Thiel, 4-3.

     It was the second time in the game in which the Saints got a runner to third base with less than two outs and couldn't get the run home.

     Thiel took the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) brought the Saints to within a single home with a single in the second innning, scoring senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) from third. Buchwald reached via the hit batter to open the inning and moved to third with a junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) double. An error in the third helped Thomas More tie the game at two.

     The Tomcats reclaimed the lead with two runs in the fourth inning.

     Once again, Price helped get TMC to within a single run with a fielder's choice in the sixth inning, but it would be as close as Thomas More would get.

     Price and Berndsen both had two hits for Thomas More, while Price - who was dropped to seventh in the order - drove in both runs. Berndsen picked up the loss in a complete game effort in which he struck out eight.

3/31/07

Wewe spins no-No

GREENVILLE, PA - Sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookeville, IN/Franklin County) hurled his first career no-hitter as Thomas More earned a split in Saturday's Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader with Thiel.

     The right-hander went the distance in striking out seven and walking five as the Saints won the nightcap, 6-0. Thiel got a two-out single in the seventh inning to win the opener, 3-2.

     Thomas More jumped out to the 2-0 lead in the nightcap on a two-run double by senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) in the late game. He finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBI. The Saints added an insurance run in the fifth inning before exploding for three runs in the seventh.

     Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) drove in two runs, while freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) went 3-for-4.

     After the Tomcats knotted the opener with two runs in the fifth inning, Thomas More had its chances to reclaim the lead in the sixth. The leadoff batter reached via walk, but was prompted caught stealing. The following a single, junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) smacked a double, however, the potential go-ahead runner was cut down at the plate.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton), Berndsen and Buchwald all had two hits, while Wewe and Ketterer each drove in runs.

     Senior Brett Walter (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) allowed two runs on six hits, while striking out six for the no-decision. Senior Frank Engoglia (Louisville/Seneca) was hung with the loss in relief.

     Berndsen will look for his second win of the season as Thomas More looks for the series win in Sunday's nine-inning game.

 

3/25/07

Five-run eighth gives Saints Sweep

After having its 5-0 lead erased, Thomas More scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to complete the three-game series sweep of Westminster Sunday, 10-5. It was the first-ever PAC series sweep for the Saints.

     Following a leadoff single by junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central), senior Brad McIntosh (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) beat out an attempted sacrifice. Another sacrifice attempt went the way of the Saints as freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) reached on an error to load the bases. The 5-5 tie was broken as senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) walked.

     Back-to-back singles by juniors Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) brought home three more runs to give the Saints some breathing room.

     The late rally didn't appear to be necessary until the Titans scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning.

     Thomas More got off to a quick start as senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) singled home the first run of the game in the first inning, and senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) added a run with a two-out single.

     Fishburn had the big blow in the second inning with a two-run double as TMC scored three runs in the second.

     Senior Frank Engoglia (Louisville/Seneca) picked up the win in relief, hurling 1 2/3 innings and allow two hits, while striking out three. Berndsen went 7 1/3 allowing five runs, all earned, with six strikeouts.

     Berndsen and McIntosh each had three hits for the Saints, while Ketterer drove home three.

     Thomas More (8-1) will travel to Anderson Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader.

3/24/07

TMC takes two

Thomas More opened Presidents' Athletic Conference action with a doubleheader sweep of Westminster by pouding out 24 hits in scoring 22 runs. The Saints took the opener 10-0 before winning the nightcap of the twinbill, 10-5.

     Junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) will start Sunday's nine-inning affair as Thomas More will go for the three-game series sweep.

    Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) got the home team going with a two-run home run in the first and a solo blast in the third inning. The offense exploded over the next three innings putting up three, four and two runs, respectively. Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) drove home four runs over that stretch.

     While the offense was rounding the bases with regularity, senior Brett Walter, 2-0, (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) held the Titans to just two hits in 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts.

     Senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) capped a five-run fourth with a bases loaded triple as Thomas More overcame an early 3-0 deficit in the second game.

     Two Thomas More errors allowed WC to score three runs in the first inning, but the Saints chipped away with single runs in the first two innings. Junior Marc Price (Cincinnat, OH/Deer Park) went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with two RBI, while freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) swiped a career-high three bases and scored twice.

     On the mound, sophomore Kyle Wewe (Brookeville, IN/Franklin County) moved to 3-0 in 5 2/3 innings of work, striking out six and allowing five runs (two earned).

03/21/07

Saints pound out 17 hits

FLORENCE - Thomas More scored 14 runs on 17 hits as the Saints defeated Hanover, 14-6, in non-conference action at Champion Windows Field.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) nearly single-handedly scored the first run of the game as he walked, then stole second and third base to get into scoring position. Brown tied a career-high with four stolen bases and reached base in four of his five plate appearances. He raised his on-base percentage of .481.

     Junior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) singled up the middle to bring in the game's first run.

     Two doubles and a triple helped net two runs in the second, then a two-out error brought two more runs as Thomas More built a 5-0 lead. After the Panthers plated an unearned run in the third inning, TMC answered with four in the fourth - half coming on a two-run bomb by Ketterer. The junior first baseman finished the day 3-for-5 with four RBI.

     Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) added three hits with two RBI and two runs scored. Seniors Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and Craig Lonkard (Union/Ryle), along with junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) all had two hits.

     Freshman Matt Klausing, 2-0, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings pitched with four strikeouts.

     Sophomore Bryan Farrell (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) will have his first start of the season Thursday as Thomas More continues its stretch of eight games in eight days with a non-conference road game in Granville, OH with the Denison Big Red.

03/20/07

Muskies beat Thomas More

NEW CONCORD, OH - Thomas More managed just three hits Tuesday as the Saints dropped their first game of the season, falling to Muskingum, 4-1, in non-conference action.

     Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) drove in the Saints' lone run with a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Seniors Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton), Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) had the Thomas More hits.

     Junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) struggled with his control, issuing four walks and hitting three batters. In fact, in the four innings the Muskies plated runs - the inning started with a walk or hit batter. Berndsen, 0-1, went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts.

     Thomas More (4-1) will look to get back in the win column 3 p.m. Wednesday as the Saints take on Hanover at Champion Windows Field in Florence. freshman Matt Klausing, 1-0, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) makes his first career start.

3/18/07

TMC quartet Silences Storm

Four Thomas More pitchers combined for 14 scoreless innings and just four hits as the Saints swept a non-conference doubleheader from Lake Erie Sunday's home opener at Thomas More Field, 10-0 and 6-0.

    Sophomore Kyle Wewe, 2-0, (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) hurled six innings of one-hit baseball as TMC took the opener. He added six strike outs in his second start of the season. Freshman Alex Woodrey (Hamilton, OH/Badin) struck out three in one inning of work.

     Senior Brett Walter, 1-0, (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) allowed two hits with two strikeouts in five innings of work, while junior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) shut the door with two scoreless innings to earn his first career save.

    Wildness helped the Saints open the scoring as three walks loaded the bases in the first, then junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) brought home two runs with a single. Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) made it 4-0 with a single.

     Thomas More added two runs in the third off a senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) homer and a RBI single by Lee. Riess capped a four-run sixth with his second homer of the game. Junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) added two RBI in the opener.

     A walk and triple by Price got the scoring going in the night cap. A fielding error helped Thomas More to its second run of the inning. The Saints added two runs in each the fifth and sixth innings. Freshman Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) drove in three of the four runs with a double and triple.

     Thomas More (4-0) will travel to New Concord Tuesday to face Muskingum in non-conference action.    

3/15/07

TMC embarks on Pivotal stretch

In a little over 10 days from now, the Thomas More baseball team will have an accurate guage on where they stand in the region.

     Starting Sunday, the Saints will play eight games in eight days against opposition from five different regional conferences, including a three-game series against Presidents' Athletic Conference foe, Westminster.

     "Our ultimate goal is to get better each day and be peaking for the start of the conference season," said head coach Jeff Hetzer.

     The Titans took two of three from Thomas More last season at the end of the PAC season in New Wilmington. They are currently 6-4, winners in five of the last six. Westminster currently has four hitters with batting averages greater than .400.

     The stretch was originally 10 games in nine days, but Saturday's doubleheader at Bluffton was cancelled.

     The only team that currently has a losing record is Thursday's opponent, Denison. The Big Red are 1-3, but are traditionally a strong team in the North Coast Conference. They have won three NCAC West titles since 2000, and has averaged 27 wins over the last four seasons.

     Lake Erie will open the week with a doubleheader Sunday as the Storm invade Thomas More Field for the Saints' home opener. After winning just six games last season, LEC has already won four of its first six games. While Thomas More will be ending an 11-day hiatus, the Storm will be playing their fourth game in five days as they hit the field with seven games in eight days.

     Thomas More steps up Tuesday with a road game at 9-1 Muskingum. The Muskies from the Ohio Athletic Conference enjoyed their spring break trip with nine straight victories after opening the trip with a close loss to Saint Vincent. They averaged 12 runs per game with a team batting average of .370, and seven starters with averages .350 or higher.

     "Hopefully our pitching is better than what they faced," said Hetzer. "We are well aware of what kind of team they are and we've been fairly successful."

     The two teams have played six times since 2000 with each team winning three times, although the Muskies have won three of the last four.

     A trip to Champions Windows Field Wednesday will hopefully help the Saints avoid complacency as they play Hanover for the second time in two weeks. TMC defeated the Panthers 8-3 and will look for the sweep over their Heartland Conference opponent.

     "It's going to be exciting for our team, alumni and campus," Hetzer said of playing in the minor league venue. "I think our guys will be jacked up."

3/6/07

Riess drives in Three

HANOVER, IN - Thomas More scored in four of the first five innings and a quartet of arms held down the fort as the Saints won their second game of the young season, beating Hanover, 8-3, Wednesday.

     The duo of senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) and junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) helped lift the Saints to a 4-1 lead after three innings. After starting the first inning with a walk and single, a throwing error allowed Brown to score the first run. Price made it 2-0, scoring on a groundout. The twosome struck again in the third as Brown reached on an error, and Price brought him home with a triple. He scored as Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) reached on an error. Buchwald was credited with a RBI because Price was running on contact.

     The rest of the team got into the action as the Saints put up a single run in the fourth and Fred Riess' (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) two-run double in the fifth had the Saints flying high at 7-1. Riess finished the game with three RBI.

     In the meantime, sophomore Kyle Wewe (pictured) , 1-0, (Brookville, IN/Franklin County) was breezing through the Panther lineup. After yielding an unearned run in the first inning, the right-hander allowed just one hit over the next three innings. Senior Brett Walters (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle), sophomore Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) and junior Ben Green (Louisville/South Oldham) combined to allow two runs, one earned, over the final five innings.

     Thomas More (2-0) won't play again until its second attempt at a home opener on March 18 against Lake Erie.

3/5/07

Two-Run Ninth Lifts Saints

LEXINGTON, KY - Thomas More scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to post the 5-3 season opening win over Transylvania Tuesday.

     Senior Dustin Brown (Independence/Simon Kenton) started the inning by getting hit and advancing to second on a throwing error. A sacrifice attempt by junior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) was beaten out for a single, leaving the Saints with runners on first and third. Senior Dan Buchwald (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) brought home the go-ahead run with a single, then Price used his speed once again to score an insurance run on a safety squeeze by senior Craig Lonkard (Union/Ryle).

     Freshman Matt Klausing, 1-0, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) picked up his first collegiate win, hurling four innings and allowing one run on two hits. He shut down the Pioneer bats in his first three innings - mowing through nine straight. Junior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) started in the game, allowing two runs on four hits in four innings of work.

     Transylvania, who averaged more than 13 runs per game as they opened the season 4-0, scored the first two runs of the game with single tallies in the third and fourth innings.

     The Saints knotted the score with two runs in the fifth thanks to three consecutive two-out singles. Senior Fred Riess (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) brought home TMC's first run scoring Brown. Junior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central), who singled in his first three at-bats, drove home the equalizer with the final of the trio of hits. Price gave the Saints the lead with a single in the sixth inning before TU tied the game in the eighth.

     Thomas More (1-0) will take on Hanover 3 p.m. Wednesday to do battle with the Panthers.