LEESBURG, Fla. – The Clark University baseball team suffered a closely-contested 4-2 loss on Wednesday as three errors proved to be costly with Trine making the most of them in the non-conference matchup at the Pat Thomas Stadium.

The Basics

Score: Thunder 4, Cougars 2

Records: Clark University (3-5) | Trine University (6-2)

How it Happened

Senior outfielder Derek Lefebvre (Groton, Mass.) enjoyed a strong day at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance including a double, one RBI and a run. Junior Steven Mooney (Buffalo, N.Y.) added a multi-hit game with his 2-for-4 effort. Senior Dylan Horn (Sterling, Conn.) moved his hitting streak to five straight with a 1-for-4 game including a double.

The Cougars grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, knocking out three hits to account for the damage. Horn got things started with a lead-off double to left field before a passed ball and an RBI single from Lefebvre drove in the game's first run. Lefebvre scored from first base just one batter later with James Huber (Rochester, N.Y.) ripping an RBI double to left field.

In the bottom of the fifth, J.D. Duvall led off with a walk before a muffed throw at first base, which would have accounted for the second out, allowed Joe Fiorucci to reach base. One batter later, A.J. Mitchell lifted a fly ball to left field to bring in Duvall to make it a 2-1 game.

Trine knotted the score in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off single from Chase Hall resulting in an unearned run as an error extended the inning and a passed ball allowed Hall to come in. Later in the inning, another defensive miscue, this time on a dropped third strike, allowed the Thunder to grab their first lead of the game at 3-2.

The Thunder tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh as Jake Conley doubled before a two-out double from Shayne Devine doubled up the lead for the host.

Clark put the tying runs in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings but was unable to pull even on either occasion. In the seventh, a ranging diving play in the hole from second baseman Jacob Douglas robbed Collin Porter (Brookfield, Conn.) of a hit. In the ninth, the Cougars threatened with one out following a hit by pitch and a single from Andrea Casabianca (Yonkers, N.Y.), but Caleb Deiter settled in with two straight outs to seal the win.

Junior Chris Radovic (Fairfield, Conn.) tossed four shutout innings of one-hit ball, striking out six with five coming off of swings. First-year Ben Spencer (New Holland, Pa.) came on in relief and was saddled with the loss, surrendering no earned runs while striking out a pair. Junior Alex Macek (Milford, Mass.) came in for the eighth inning to deliver a hitless frame with one strikeout.

Up Next

The Cougars return to the diamond on Friday, March 6 when they take on Albion for a 9:15 A.M. non-conference matchup.