5/5/08

Saints earn Regional Victory

Fourteen different players recorded hits as Thomas More tallied 22 hits in beating Transylvania, 22-11, Monday at Thomas More Field for a key regional victory.

     Senior Aaron Farris (Independence/Simon Kenton) rebounded from a rough start to post a good outing in recording his second victory of the season. After allowing seven runs in the first inning, the right-hander surrendered just two runs over his final four innings of work.

     Thomas More scored in the first four innings, including a huge seven-run fourth to open up the game. The Saints scored in six of their eight at-bats.

      Freshman Max Robbins (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) had a career-high three RBI, while senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and junior Steve Badar (Hebron/Conner) both had three RBI as well. Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) tied the career triples record with his three-bagger in the second inning.

     Thomas More (25-11 overall) will face Grove City noon Thursday in the first round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference championships.

5/3/08

Top Seed

A little rest and relaxation seemed to wake up the Thomas More bats Saturday.

     After playing 14 games in 13 days, and looking sluggish toward the end, the Saints had a week off for exams and came back to explode for 31 runs in two games - sweeping past Grove City, 21-7 and 10-5. With the sweep, Thomas More secured the top seed in the upcoming Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament and will host starting Thursday.

     Freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) put Thomas More ahead to stay with a grand slam in the third inning. It was the first of two homeruns for the freshman as he in now tied for the PAC lead with 12 longballs. Franzreb finished the game 3-for-5 with a double, two homeruns, four runs scored and five RBI.

     Freshman Nick Ryan (Erlanger/Saint Henry) capped a 10-run fourth with his first career homerun, a 405-foot three-run shot to straight-away center field. Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park), senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) and sophomore Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) all drove in two runs in the victory.

     With seven strong innings, senior Pat Berndsen, 6-3, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned the victory, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts.

     Thomas More did the majority of its damage in the third and fourth innings, scoring nine of its 10 runs to secure the sweep. Both rallies were started by leadoff singles off the bat of sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder).

     It was a two-RBI performance for Berndsen, Ketterer and senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central).

     Freshman Adam Leach, 3-2, (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) earned his victory, yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits in six innings.

    Thomas More (24-11 overall, 11-1 PAC) will host Transylvania Monday in non-conference action.

4/27/08

Sarge Silences Tigers in Split

Making his first career start, senior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton Verona) held Wittenberg to just three hits over seven innings in helping the Saints to the 2-1 victory in the opener of TMC's non-conference doubleheader. Thomas More dropped the nightcap, 7-0.

     Sargent, 5-0, allowed just two base runners over the final five innings, both coming with two outs.

     Thomas More took advantage of some WU wildness to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to escape with the win.

     Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) led the inning off with a double, but was erased on a pick off, but Thomas More returned runners to scoring position as freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) and senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) both were hit. An infield single by senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) loaded the bases with one out.

     Wittenberg looked to be out of the inning when pinch hitting extrodinaire Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) hit was appeared to be a double-play. However, the play couldn't be made, all ends were safe and the tying run was scored. Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) drove home the go-ahead win with a single.

     Things didn't go as well in the nightcap as Thomas More manged two hits in seven innings in falling to the Tigers.

4/26/08

Saints Launch Way to Sweep

There wasn't a shortage of power as balls were flying out of Thomas More Field regularly during the Saints' Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of Bethany Saturday.

     Thomas More hit seven homeruns, including five in the opener, in posting the 7-3, 14-6 sweep of the Bison - both in come from behind fashion. The sweep moves TMC to within one win of clinching the PAC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament that accompanies.

     The fell behind 2-0 early in the first game, but solo shots in the bottom of the fourth by freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) pulled TMC even. The tie didn't last long as the Bison took the lead in with a single run in the fourth. However, the Bethany cushion didn't last long either as a two-run homer by senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) put the Saints up for good.

     Sophomore Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) gave the Saints some breathing room, and provided the margin of victory, with a two-out, three-run pinch hit homerun. Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) was 3-for-4 to lead Thomas More.

     Senior Pat Berndsen, 5-3, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work.

     A three-run second by Bethany had Thomas More in a deeper hole at 4-0 in the nightcap, and the Bison starter was cruising through five innings.

     But, he hit a six-run speed bump in the sixth inning that was capped by a two-out, two-run homer by senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross).

     Price started the rally with bunt singled, moved to second on a balk and scored on a single by senior Brad Ketterer (Hamilton, OH/Stephen T. Badin). A RBI double by Franzreb was followed by an error that allowed senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) to reach. Brown drove both runners home to tie the score with a single.

     TMC played add on with four runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

     Senior Matt Koopman, 6-1, (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) picked up the win, rendered five runs (three earned) on nine hits in seven innings of work.

     Thomas More (21-10 overall, 9-1 PAC) will host Wittenberg Sunday in a non-conference doubleheader.    

4/23/08

Home streak comes to end

For the first time since April 30, 2006, the Thomas More baseball team felt the sting of a loss at Thomas More Field.

     Ohio Wesleyan scored twice in the top of the 10th inning to snap the Saints' 19-game home wininng streak with a 10-8 decision Tuesday.

     Playing their seventh game in five days, Thomas More battled and clawed from an early 6-1 deficit to force extra innings, and almost pulled out the victory in the bottom of the ninth. Junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) laced a two-out double and scored on freshman Sam Schmeltzer's (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) single. After senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) was hit for the 11th time this season, and second time in the game, the winning run stood on second.

     Sophomore Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), hit a pinch hit single but Schmeltzer was cut down at the plate.

     Schmeltzer continued his torrid hitting, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, while Brown was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) both had two hits as the Saints pounded out 14 on the day.

     Junior Matt Koch (Indepedence/Holy Cross) took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in the tenth.

     Thomas More (19-10) will host Bethany Saturday in a key Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader.

04/22/08

Saints Earn Split

NEW WILMINGTON, PA - Thomas More preserved its two-game lead in the Presidents' Athletic Conference by splitting a doubleheader - a 4-1 loss and 14-4 victory - with Westminster Tuesday at Westminster Field.

     The Saints hold the advantage of the Titans and Grove City with four games to play. TMC will host Bethany Saturday before taking on GCC on Saturday, May 3.

     TMC wasted no time in jumping on the homestanding Titans in the nightcap with five runs in the first inning. The Saints played added on with single runs in the second, third and fifth innings before blowing the game wide open with six runs in the sixth.

     Freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) led the Saints with three RBI. Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park), senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) and freshman Nick Zeiser (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) all had two RBI for TMC.

    Senior Matt Koopman, 5-1, (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) allowed two runs on three hits over eight innings. He had a no-hitter for 5 1/3 innings.

     Thomas More left 15 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position as the Saints suffered their first Presidents' Athletic Conference loss of the season, falling to Westminster in the opener of their PAC twinbill, 4-1.

     Westminster took advantage of a TMC error to push three runs across the plate in the second innning.

     Three consecutive singles, the latter by junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), plated Thomas More's only run of the game. The Saints had plenty of chances, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth, sixth and ninth innings. The Titans tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eight.

     Senior Pat Berndsen, 4-3, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) allowed four runs (one earned) in eight innings of actions, scattering nine hits with six strikeots.

04/20/08

54 runs scored in Split

LATROBE, PA - Thomas More and Saint Vincent combined to push 54 runs across the plate as the two Presidents' Athletic Conference schools split a non-conference doubleheader Sunday at Bearcat Ballpark. Saint Vincent is a provisional NCAA Division III member, thus they don't count toward PAC standings.

     Thomas More (18-8 overall, 6-0 in the PAC) will return to the diamond in a key PAC contest Tuesday in New Wilmington, PA. The Saints hold a two-game lead over Westminster heading into Tuesday's road doubleheader.

     Saint Vincent scored two runs in the bottom of the tenth inning to post the 12-11 victory in the opener, then the Saints won the second game by a 17-14 count.

     Sophomore Joe Berling (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) took the loss in extra innings, while senior Aaron Farris (Independence/Simon Kenton) earned his first career victory in the nightcap. Freshman Michael Murray (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned his first career save.

     Freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) drove in three runs in the opener, while junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) drove home a career-high six in the nightcap. 

04/19/08

Early Offense lifts Saints

CLEVELAND, OH - Thomas More never trailed, scoring 16 of their 18 runs over the first three innings, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader from Case Western Reserve Saturday at Nobby's Ballpark.

     Two-out damage ruled the first game when Thomas More scored nine of their 11 runs with two outs in the 11-2 victory. Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) had a two-run triple to open the scoring. The triple was followed by back-to-back RBI doubles off the bats of junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn).

     Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) had a one-out solo homerun and Lee had a two-out, two-run blast in the Saints' three-run second. After scoring a run on a double play in the third, Thomas More tacked on some more two-out runs in the third inning as Price got the rally going with a triple. He scored on senior Brad Ketterer's (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) double, who scored ahead of freshman Spencer Franzreb's (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) homerun.

    Lee drove in four on 2-of-3 hitting with two runs scored, while Franzreb went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.

     Senior Pat Berndsen, 4-2, (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) picked up the win - allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in 3 1/3 innings. The duo of freshmen Chris Simon (Cold Spring/Bishop Brossart) and Patrick Allen (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) allowed one hit over the final 2 2/3 inning.

     Thomas More jumped on the board with two runs in the first inning of the nightcap as the Saints recorded the 7-3 win. Price, who started the game with a single and stolen base, scored on an error - and Brown scored Franzreb with the second run of the inning.

     Price was in the middle of the scoring in the second inning with a two-run bomb, and Franzreb doubled home another run. The Saints tacked on insurance runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

     Senior Matt Koopman, 4-1, (Pleasant Hill/Newton) allowed two earned runs on four hits in three innings to pick up the victory. Senior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) earned his third save of the season - throwing the final four innings, yielding one run on three hits.

     Thomas More (17-7) will return to the diamond Sunday when they play PAC-foe Saint Vincent. The game doesn't count toward PAC standings as the Bearcats are provisional NCAA Division III members.

04/17/08

Souder Drives in Five

Sophomore T.J. Souder (Mason, OH/Mason) drove in a career-high five runs as Thomas More posted the 13-3 victory over Cincinnati Christian Thursday at Thomas More Field.

     A half inning after the Eagles pulled to within one, Souder gave the Saints some breathing room with a two-out, two-run single. It was the only TMC hit in the inning as two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for the sophomore second baseman.

     Cincinnati Christian, once again, pulled to within striking distance with a run in the fifth inning - and once again, the man of the hour stepped to the plate with a chance to do damage. He didn't disappoint as his base clearing triple scored three and sparked an eighr-run sixth inning. Souder finished the game 3-for-4 with five RBI and one run scored.

     Freshman Adam Leach (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) improved to 2-2 on the season, hurling six innings of six-hit baseball. All three of his allowed runs were unearned. He added a career-high eight strikeouts with just one walks.

     Thomas More (15-7 overall) will travel to Cleveland, OH for a non-conference doubleheader with Case Western Reserve, then face Saint Vincent Sunday.

04/16/08

Saints fall to DI Colonels

RICHMOND - Following a four-run sixth inning that left Thomas More down one run, the confidence in the visiting dugout of Turkey Hughes Field was flying high. However, three outs and nine runs later, the Saints were in a 10-run hole as they fell to Eastern Kentucky Wednesday, 16-6.

     Freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) got the Saints on the board first with a RBI double in the top of the first inning. But, EKU countered with one in the first and two in the second. Junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning as the Colonels tacked on a four-spot in the their half of the inning.

     Thomas More's sixth inning rally started on a two-out walk by freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) and a single by senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross). Sophomores Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), along with seniors Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) hit four straight RBI singles.

     Price finished the game 3-for-5 with a RBI and run scores, while Browne added two hits and a run scored.

     Senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) allowed three run in two innings and recorded the loss.   

4/15/08

'Pen Mightier than Bats

DANVILLE - A trio of Thomas More relievers hurled 5 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball as the Saints posted a 17-8 victory over Centre Tuesday in non-conference action.

     Freshman Chris Simon (Cold Spring/Bishop Brossart) did the majority of the heavy lifting. He entered with the go-ahead run on third and an insurance run on second with two out, but got out of the inning with a strikeout. It helped preserve any remaining TMC momentum as the Colonels had crawled even after trailing 7-0 early. Sophomore Joe Berling (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and freshman Patrick Allen (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) each threw a scoreless inning.

     While Simon and the rest of the bullpen were tossing up zeros, the Thomas More bats woke back up in the sixth inning to post three runs. The Saints broke the game open with six runs in the eighth.

     Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) went 4-for-5 with four RBI, while senior Brad Ketterer drove in three.

4/12/08

TMC Gets Road Sweep

WASHINGTON, PA - Thomas More scored a combined 20 runs in completing the PAC road sweep of Washington & Jefferson Saturday, 13-7 and 7-2.

     Early offense got the ball rolling for the doubleheader as the Saints exploded for five runs in the first innning.

     Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) started the run barrage with a two-run homerun, then got three straight doubles from senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin), freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) to score two more.

     Thomas More added two in the second and another five spot in the third to post the runaway win.

     Senior Pat Berndsen picked up the victory, going seven innings - allowing five runs on 11 hits.

     Price finished with four RBI, while Franzreb had three.

     Senior Matt Koopman hurled eight innings of six-hit baseball, allowing two unearned run in the nightcap. The Saints took the lead with three runs in the sixth; on a Franzreb homerun, RBI triple from freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) and sacrifice fly from senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross). The Saints added one in the seventh and three more in the ninth for the victory.

     Thomas More improved to 13-6 overall and 6-0 in the PAC.

4/11/08

Eagan Nets Academic Honor

Assistant coach Pat Eagan (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) has earned the college's 2008 Outstanding Teaching Award in the part-time category, announced by Thomas More's Academic Dean Brad Bielski.

     He teaches multiple sections of course at TMC, and also teaches on the campus of Villa Madonna High School as an active participant of the newly named Gemini program.

     "He is widely recognized by students as caring for their education and their development as a whole person," said Bielski.

     Eagan, who also played baseball for the Saints, is in his third season as the outfield and hitting coach under Jeff Hetzer. He also has served as the voice of Thomas More basketball on Cable One, the all-volunteer network.

     "We are proud to have Coach Eagan associated by our baseball program," said Hetzer. "He represents what Thomas More baseball is about, on and off the field, and is one of  the signature members of  the program as it relates to the academic standard."

     Eagan's career at Thomas More is marked with honors for being a four-year starter as an outfielder and a pitcher for the Saints, as well as posting a career .325 average at the plate. Pat played an integral role in the outfield and on the mound in Thomas More's first ever trip to the NCAA Regional tournament in 2000 and ranks in the top ten all-time in Saints history in E.R.A. and pitching winning percentage. Coach Eagan has thrown one of the school's four no-hitters.

     The highlight of Eagan's career here at Thomas More came in 2001 when he recieved the high disctinction of being awarded the NCAA Post-Graduate scholarship for outstanding efforts in the classroom and on the baseball field. Pat remains the only Thomas More student-athlete ever to be awarded this honorable scholarship.

4/9/08

Solid Pitching lift Saints

The best way to get over the sting of losing a winning streak is to start a new one. Less than 24 hours after having its eight-game streak ended, Thomas More started anew.

     Thomas More pitching yielded just one earned run in 18 innings as the Saints posted a doubleheader sweep of PAC-foe Geneva Wednesday at Thomas More Field. The Saints trotted seven hurlers to the mound in the two games as they scattered 11 hits as TMC recorded 3-2 and 10-1 victories.

     Freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) brought home the winning run in the opener with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth after a two-out, two-run double in the top of the inning knotted the game at two. The Golden Tornadoes capitalized on a one-out error to rally for the tie.

     The Saints scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as freshman Nick Ryan (Erlanger/Saint Henry) recorded his first career RBI to bring home the first run of the game. He would come around to score the second run of the inning on an RBI single by sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder).

     The senior trio of Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), Matt Koopman (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) and Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton Verona) held the Golden Tornadoes to just six hits. Berndsen went the first four innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts, and was followed by Koopman - who yielded three hits with three strikeouts. Sargent, 4-0, allowed the RBI double, but earned his career-best fourth victory of the season.

     Unlike the first game where runs were at a premium, Thomas More struck early and often in completing the sweep. The Saints scored in six of their eight plate appearances in tallying the 10 runs. It was the seventh time this season, TMC has reached double figures.

     Freshman Kyle York, 1-0, (Ludlow/Ludlow) picked up his first collegiate victory, allowing one earned run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. The trio of relievers, freshman Chris Simon (Cold Spring/Bishop Brossart), freshman Patrick Allen (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) and sophomore Joe Berling (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) yielded just one hit over the final 2 2/3 innings.

     Seniors Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) both had RBIs on the game, while Fishburn made his first extra base hit of the season count - a solo home run in the second. Eight different Saints tallied the eight hits for Thomas More.

     Thomas More (11-6 overall, 4-0 PAC) will travel to Washington & Jefferson Saturday for a key Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader.

4/8/08

Winning Streak Comes to end

SPRINGFIELD, OH - A three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning provided the eventual margin of victory as Wittenberg snapped Thomas More's eight-game winning streak with an 11-8 non-conference victory Tuesday.

     The three-run bomb came immediately after the Saints pulled to within one with four runs in its half of the seventh.

     Senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) started the rally with one of his two singles, which was followed by back-to-back walks. Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) got a run home with a single and senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) brought in another with a walk. Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) capped the four-run inning with a two-out single.

     Price and Lee each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

     Senior Aaron Farris, 0-1, (Independence/Simon Kenton) picked up the loss, surrendering three runs in his only inning of work.

     Thomas More (9-6 overall) will host Geneva 1 p.m. Wednesday.

4/4/08

Thomas More Sweeps Jackets

WAYNESBURG, PA - Thomas More moved to 4-0 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference with a doubleheader sweep of Waynesburg Saturday, 15-9 and 3-2.

     The Saints scored 10 runs in the seventh and eighth innings - combined to post the 15-9 win in game one, then rode early offense and solid pitching from senior Matt Koopman (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) to record the 3-2 win in the night cap.

     TMC scored six runs in the seventh inning without the use of an extra base hit as two walks and six singles paced the Saints' offense. Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) has a two-run single, while seniors Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) and Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) along with freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) all had RBI singles.

     A two-run double from freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) was followed by a two-run bomb from Lee to cap the scoring in the eighth inning.

     Senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) went 4-for-6 to pace the offense as he scored three runs, including a steal of home. Lee had four RBI, while Franzreb had three and Ketterer two.

    Senior Adam Sargent, 2-0, (Warsaw/Walton Verona) hurled four innings of relief, yielding three hits, one earned run with three strikeouts to post the victory. The southpaw followed up his game one performance to earn the save in the nightcap - allowing one hit over the final two innings.

     Koopman kept the Yellow Jacket bats quiet in the nightcap with seven innings of four-hit baseball, allowing two earned runs with three strikeouts.

     Ketterer provided Thomas More with its early offense with a two-run homerun in the first inning.

    The winning run came via Fishburn's suicide squeeze with in the seventh inning. Junior Steve Badar (Hebron/Conner), who walked to open the inning, scored in the run.

    Thomas More (9-5, 4-0 PAC), winners of eight straight, will travel to Wittenberg Tuesday in non-conference action.

4/2/08

Six-Run second Lifts TMC

LEXINGTON - Thomas More scored six runs in the second inning as the Saints ran their winning streak to six in a 12-6 victory over Transylvania in non-conference action.

     In an inning in which more Saints reached via walk or hit batter than hits, RBI doubles by junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) supplied half the run production in the inning. Price's double was sandwhiched by an RBI walk from sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and a RBI single from senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin).

     Back-to-back singles from senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) and junior Steve Badar (Hebron, OH/Conner) were followed by an intentional walk of Ketterer to load the bases for freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills), who promptly chased home two with a single. Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) capped the inning with a RBI single.

     RBI doubles from Ketterer and Jake Brown, along with a RBI single from freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) capped the scoring in the seventh.

     Senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) earned the victory as Thomas More sent four pitchers to the mound. Berndsen, 2-1, went the first three innings - allowing two runs on two hits. Senior Matt Koopman (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) went three innings; freshman Patrick Allen (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) went two innings and senior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) finished the game. The trio allowed four runs on eight hits over the final six innings.

     Thomas More (7-5) will travel to Waynesburg Saturday in a Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader.

4/1/08

Career Day for Lee Lifts Saints

ASBURY - Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) drove in five runs and freshman Chris Simon (Cold Spring/Bishop Brossart) recorded his first career victory as Thomas More defeated Asbury Tuesday, 13-9.
    Thomas More scored in six of its nine at-bats, including a five run explosion in the third inning.
    Freshman Sam Schmeltzer (Aurora, IN/South Dearborn) had two doubles with a career-high three RBI, while senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) went 3-for-6 with a homerun. Senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) and junior Steve Badar (Hebron/Conner) both had two hits.
     Thomas More (6-5), winners of five straight, will travel to Lexington Wednesday for a non-conference game with Transylvania.

3/31/08

Duo Nets PAC honors

WEXFORD, PA - Following a 4-0 week, two Thomas More players - senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) and freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) - earned weekly Presidents' Athletic Conference honors.

     Berndsen, the pitcher of the week, went 1-0 this week with one save, including a complete-game, five-hit performance against Thiel. The right-hander retired the Tomcats in order in five of the nine innings, and allowed a hit in only two of the nine innings. He threw the final four innings of Thomas More's victory over Centre to earn his first career save.

     Franzreb, who earned the hitting honors, smacked three homeruns this week as he hit .444 with a slugging percentage of 1.000. He scored seven runs and drove in eight for the Saints.

3/29/08

Two different ways, two victories

In two entirely different manners, Thomas More posted a Presidents' Athletic Conference sweep of the Thiel Tomcats Saturday in the conference opener for both schools.

     Junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) lined a bases-loaded, one-out single in the bottom of the ninth to lift Thomas More to the 13-12 victory in game one. In the nightcap, the Saints rode the arm of senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) to complete the sweep with the 5-1 victory.

     Brown's heroics were needed after the Saints opened up a six-run lead after three innings, only to have Thiel continually chip away before taking the lead in the top of the ninth. The early turning point of the contest came in the bottom of the fifth inning as TMC failed to score after loading the bases with no outs. Thiel immediately followed with four runs in its half of the six.

     The Tomcats pulled even with a two-out home run in the top of the eight, then claimed the lead with three straight hits to open the ninth.

     Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) reached on an error to start the inning, but was erased on a fielder's choice by senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park). Following Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) reaching via the hit batter for the second time in the game, freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) knotted the game with a double. Senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) drew an intentional walk, which set up Brown's game-winner.

      Kettterer, Brown and senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) all drove in three in the victory. Brown finished the game 4-for-6 with two runs scored, while junior Steve Badar (Hebron/Conner) had a career-high three hits. Franzreb also had three knocks for the Saints.

     Senior Adam Sargent, 2-0, (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) earned the victory in relief, hurling 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits.

     In the nightcap, Berndsen, 1-1, bulldogged his way to his first win of the season. The right-hander limited Thiel to just one earned run on five hits with five strikeout. He retired the Tomcats in order five times, and allowing hits in just the fifth and ninth innings.

     Thomas More took advantage of two errors and a hit batter in the fifth inning to score two runs, taking a one-run lead. A fielder's choice and throwing error enabled the Saints to tack on two runs in the sixth, and an error in the eighth helped the home team put up another insurance run.

     Browne led the way with two of the five hits, while sophomore Marty Kersting (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) recorded the lone RBI.

     Thomas More (5-5), winners of four straight, is scheduled to host Defiance 2 p.m. Sunday in a non-conference doubleheader.

3/26/08

Saints Outslug Hanover

Ten of Thomas More's 15 hits went for extra bases as the Saints scored in six of their eight at-bats in posting the 18-11 victory Wednesday over Hanover in non-conference action at Thomas More Field.

     Thomas More did most of its damage in two innings as the Saints tallied five runs in the first and six runs in the fifth inning.

     With the first five batters reaching for the Saints in the first inning, senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) brought home two with a double and senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central) capped the five-run inning with a two-run homerun to left field. It was the first of four Thomas More longballs in the game.

     The Panthers claimed the lead with one in the second, three unearned in the third and another three in the fourth inning. Their lead lasted six batters as senior Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) capped a three-run fourth with a two-run double. Two more by Hanover in the fifth brought them even, and that last three batters.

     After junior Steve Badar (Hebron/Conner) started the fifth with a double and sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) was hit, senior Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) unloaded on his first homerun of the season. Two batters later, freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) hit his second long ball of the game - a two-run shot.

     Thomas More tacked on a single run in the sixth and two in the seventh.

     Franzreb finished the game 3-for-4 with two homeruns and a career-high four RBI, while Lee and Price each drove in three runs for the Saints.

     Freshman Kyle York (Ludlow/Ludlow) started and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs - two earned. Freshman Adam Leach, 1-2, (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle) earned his first career victory with 2 1/3 inning of relief, while senior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) earned his first save of the season. Sargent pitched three innings of perfect baseball with one strikeout.

3/25/08

Ketterer drives in Four

Senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) went 4-for-5 with four RBI as Thomas More won its home opener, 10-3, over Centre Tuesday at Thomas More Field.     

     The Saints scored in six of their eight at-bats to post their second win over the season.     

     Freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) added three RBI for TMC, all off a three-run home run  - the first of his career - in the seventh inning.     

     Seniors Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and Michael Browne (Hamilton, OH/Ross) each had two hits for Thomas More with Browne recording an RBI.     

     The run production helped senior Matt Koopman (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) record his first career victory as he hurled five innings of four-hit baseball. He added seven strikeouts in the outing. Senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) recorded his first career save, eating up the final four innings. He allowed three runs on six hits with two strikeouts.     

     Thomas More (2-5) will return to the diamond 4 p.m. Wednesday, when they host Hanover.

3/16/08

Five-Run Inning downs Saints

HANOVER, IN - The big inning did Thomas More in, once again.

     Hanover scored five runs in the seventh inning to break a tie game en route to the 7-3 victory over the Saints at L.S. Ayers Field on the campus of Hanover College.

     Senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) started the sixth inning with a walk. He moved to second with a one-out single by senior Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central), and to third on a junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) flyout. Thomas More halved its deficit as Ketterer scored on an throwing error by the pitcher, then tied the game on a two-out double from sophomore Nick Zeiser (Cincinnati, OH/Elder).

     Senior Matt Koopman, 0-1, (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) yielded two first-inning runs, but appeared to be cruising heading into the faithful seventh. The hard throwing right-hander had surrendered just four hits throught six. However, the Panthers registered two hits over the first three hitters, and after a fielder's choice, Hanover claimed the lead it wouldn't relinquish.

     Lee finished the game 3-for-4, while Ketterer scored two of the Saints' three runs.

     Thomas More (1-5) is scheduled to host Anderson Saturday before traveling to Latrobe, PA to open Presidents' Athletic Conference action with Saint Vincent.

3/5/08

Thomas More splits with Monks

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Sophomore Marty Kersting's (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning plated the winning run in Thomas More's 7-6 win as the Saints earned a split in their doubleheader with St. Joseph's. The Monks claimed the opener, 9-5.

     Senior Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) started the rally with a single, and was pinch ran for by sophomore T.J. Souder (Mason, OH/Mason). Souder advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Johnny Lee (West Harrison, IN/East Central), and the Monks intentionally walked the bases loaded. In his second at-bat of the day, Kersting lifted a fly ball that scored Souder with the winning run. Kersting's other plate appearance came in game one, and it produced an RBI single.

     Sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while senior Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Junior Jake Brown (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) drove in three for the Saints.

     Senior starter Matt Koopman (Pleasant Hill, OH/Newton) allowed five runs on four hits in five innings of action. However, the righty had yielded one run entering the sixth inning when he ran into trouble. Senior Adam Sargent (Warsaw/Walton-Verona) picked up the win in 1 2/3 inning of relief.

     Thomas More pounded out 14 hits in the opener, but it wasn't enough as the Monks scored nine runs on 12 hits to post the victory.

     After Thomas More took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning, St. Joseph's took a commanding lead with two in the first and four in the third.

     Berndsen took the loss, allowing nine earned runs in five innings of work.

     Ketterer pounded out three hits to lead the Saints, while Berndsen, Lee and freshman Spencer Franzreb (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) all had two hits each.

     Thomas More (1-2) returns to the field Thursday against Clark.

1/17/08

Ketterer Named Preseason All-America

Senior designated hitter Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) was one of four unanimous first team preseason All-America selections by d3baseball.com.

     Ketterer was named first-team All-Mideast Region and was a first-team PAC selection after he finished the 2007 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.

     He was also recently named to the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Watch list.

     Thomas More, which finished the season at 26-11, will open the 2008 campaign in Port Charlotte, FL against Division II Lewis.

1/4/08

Four Land on Watch List

Four Thomas More baseball players have landed on Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Watch List.

     Seniors Pat Berndsen (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), Marc Price (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and Brad Ketterer (Fairfield, OH/Stephen T. Badin) are joined by sophomore Chris Fishburn (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) on the magazine's preseason list.

     Ketterer was named first-team All-Mideast Region and was a first-team PAC 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.

     Berndsen, who is on verge of breaking several pitching records for the Saints, was 5-3 last season with an 4.05 ERA was named second-team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference. In addition, he hit .308 with seven doubles and 21 RBI.

     Price was a second team conference selection after hitting .348 with five doubles, five triples and 18 stolen bases, while Fishburn hit .351 with 21 RBI en route to second team conference honors.

     Thomas More, which finished the season at 25-10, will open the 2008 campaign in Port Charlotte, FL against Division II Lewis.

2007 Season