PHOTO GALLERY

The Bearcat baseball team opened the 2016 season with an 11-5 loss to Augustana College in the Russ Matt Tournament in Winter Haven, FL.

Augustana, playing in its eighth game of the season, sent 10 batters to the plate in the top of the first, taking advantage of a Bearcat error to post several unearned runs en route to an early 6-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Greg Martin walked and moved up on a double by Chris Winkler.  Martin then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Vater, getting the Bearcats on the scoreboard. Brennan Hoffer then singled to left, scoring Winkler to make the score 6-2.

An inning later, SVC loaded the bases on walks, chasing the Augustana starter.  Eddie Kilkeary then sent a high pop into center field which was lost in the sun, resulting in an RBI single.  Martin then hit a nearly identical pop and the result was the same, as the sun resulted in another Bearcat RBI single, making it a 6-4 game.

Augustana rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd, and SVC got one back in the fourth.  TJ Kuny doubled and moved to third on a single by Luke Fox.  Aaron Burger hit a sacrifice fly, cutting the gap to 8-5, but it was as close as the Bearcats could get. 

Dylan Pietrantoni started and took the loss on the hill, working 5 innings and giving up three earned runs.  Alex Augustine worked an inning, and Mike Panchik threw two scoreless innings for SVC (0-1). Mike Powers went the final 6 innings for Augustana (7-1) and earned the win.

TJ Kuny had a pair of doubles for the Bearcats, while Ben Webb had two singles.  

Saint Vincent will face Franklin College at 11AM on Monday (February 29) in Auburndale, FL.