RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team rolled past Thomas More College on Wednesday, 16-6. Junior Tyler Rehmel led a host of Colonels with three hits, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. With the win, the Colonels even their record at 16-16-1 (7-5 OVC), while the Saints of Thomas More drop to 14-7 (6-0 PAC).
Leading just 3-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Colonels added four runs in that inning – all with two outs - to give them a seemingly comfortable five run lead. With two down and junior Aaron Barrows on third, Rehmel doubled down the left field line to score the first run. After freshman Jayson Langfels blasted a double to right center to plate Rehmel, junior Matt Davis smacked a two-run homer to left center that extended the Colonel lead to 7-2.
In the top of the sixth, however, the Saints got four runs to pull within one again. With two outs in that inning, men on second and third, and one run already in, Saints’ shortstop Chris Fishburn hit a groundball to Rehmel at second who bobbled it and allowed both Fishburn to reach safely and the run to score. Marc Price then singled to right scoring Marty Kersting, and that was followed by Brad Ketterer singling to center and scoring Fishburn. Three of the Saint’s four runs that inning were unearned.
Leading just 7-6, the Colonels blew it open for good in their half of the sixth with nine runs. Rehmel got the rally going with an RBI double to right center, plating junior Dylan McMaine. Rehmel later scored on an RBI groundout by Davis. After an error by the catcher, a balk, and a groundout by freshman Ryan Faidley allowed three more runs to score, Barrows got things going again with a two out double down the right field line, and then was driven in on a two run shot to left by sophomore Anthony Ottrando, his third home run in the last five games. McMaine was then hit by a pitch and Rehmel walked before Langfels blasted his league-leading fifth triple to center, scoring two and giving the Colonels a 16-6 lead.
Freshman Matt Fyffe (1-0) picked up his first win as a Colonel, going four innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Freshman Michael Martinez pitched an inning and two thirds, allowing four runs (only one earned) on four hits. Freshman Jay Embree pitched an inning and a third, giving up only one hit while striking out all three batters he faced in the seventh. Freshman Paul Duncan pitched the eighth without allowing a hit or a run, and sophomore Jim Clancy went in the ninth, allowing one hit and no runs.
Pat Berndsen (3-2) got the loss for the Saints.
Aside from Rehmel, the Colonels were led at the plate by a host of players. Barrows went 3-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored. Ottrando went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Langfels went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, and Davis batted 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored.
The Colonels return to action this weekend as they host the Murray State Racers for a three game conference series at Turkey Hughes Field.
