AUBURNDALE, Fla.- On Wednesday morning, the Immaculata University baseball team was bested by Wheaton College 12-2 in an eight inning affair. The game marked the Mighty Macs fourth contest of the RussMatt Invitational, their first of which played at the Lake Myrtle Complex in Auburndale. The Mighty Macs found themselves behind the eight ball early, as Wheaton belted a first inning grand slam to cap off a 6-run opening frame. The Mighty Macs would collect a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning before ultimately falling by a run rule in the eighth. Wheaton improves to 4-2 with the ten run victory as the Lions leave the Mighty Macs still in search of their second win.

How it Happened 

• Wheaton delivered the first two runs of the game off a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the first. 
• An overthrow to first base allowed the Lions to continue the opening frame. Wheaton capitalized on IU's failed infield putout, as the Lions cleared the bases with a grand slam over the left field wall. Wheaton would carve a 6-0 lead with four unearned runs charged to Kade Breisblatt.
• Immaculata's lineup remained hitless through three innings as the Macs were retired in order in the first and third inning. Steven Theisen picked up the Macs' first hit on a single to center. 
• Kade Breisblatt settled in during the third, as he'd retire the Lions in four batters. In the fourth inning, the Macs' lone run surrendered came on a solo shot to left field.
• Immaculata pieced together a two-run sixth inning, started by a Will Kelley walk. Matt Passerini singled to put two on for Blake Schantz. Shantz grounded out on a 6-3 putout that advanced the Macs to second and third. Steven Theisen drove in IU's first run on a single to the left side. With runners on the corners, Immaculata's Matt Passerini stole home as Theisen swiped second on a sucessful double steal. 
• Brian Dino pitched three stellar innings in relief of Breisblatt, facing eleven batters and fanning seven of them. Dino punched out one batter in the fifth inning before striking out the side in both the sixth and seventh inning.
• Immaculata had some movement on the basepaths during the top of the eighth inning. There, Will Kelley led off with a single as Steven Theisen drew a two-out walk. Ryan Nace delivered a single through the right side, but Immaculata was halted at home (9-2 putout) trying to score the lead runner from second. 
• The bottom of the eighth spelled trouble for Immaculata, as control issues allowed the Lions to pass their eleventh and twelfth runs across the plate for a run-rule victory.

Inside the Numbers 

• Brian Dino (3.0 IP, 0 R, 7 K) shined in three innings of relief, allowing no runs, no walks, one hit, while striking out six batters in a row.
• Steven Theisen had a great approach as he reached base on all four plate appearances. Theisen went 2-2 with a pair of singles, a pair of walks, and an RBI. 
• Will Kelley and Matt Passerini each went 1-3 with one run, one hit, and a walk on the day.  
• Ryan Nace delivered a pinch hit single in his only AB.
• Sal Serici made four putouts in right field.

Up Next 

• The Immaculata baseball team will look to collect themselves for tomorrow's matchup against Western New England University. 
• First pitch in Davenport is set for 12:15pm on Thursday, 3/13.