Game Box Score                                                                                                                                          April 17, 2003

Thiel tops Grove City in 12

GROVE CITY, Pa. – The Grove City College baseball team saw its hopes for a third consecutive Presidents' Athletic Conference title take a severe hit Thursday as visiting Thiel pulled out a 9-8 victory over Grove City in 12 innings.

Grove City falls to 10-11 overall and 6-8 in the PAC. Thiel (17-17, 8-7 PAC) clinched the third of four berths in next week's PAC tournament. To qualify for the four-team playoff, Grove City needs a combination of Wolverine conference wins and Bethany (5-7 PAC) losses equaling three or greater. Otherwise, Bethany will earn the fourth berth. Bethany plays Washington and Jefferson in a three-game set Friday and Saturday.

Grove City trailed 8-5 entering the bottom of the ninth but rallied to force extra innings. Sophomore first baseman Joel Diller (Hartville, Ohio/Marlington) singled and moved to third on a single from sophomore catcher A.J. Stedford (Beaver, Pa./Beaver), who advanced to second on the throw. Freshman shortstop Mike Ritter (Moon, Pa./Moon) singled in both runs, cutting the lead to 8-7.

After sophomore third baseman Jonathan Mycyk (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy) walked, junior pitcher Greg Grupp (Harmony, Pa./Slippery Rock) drove in pinch runner Mike MacDonald (Ellwood City, Pa./Ellwood City), tying the game.

Each team put a runner on base in both the 10th and 11th innings but neither team could break the tie. However, Thiel's Jon Spencer roped a one-out single in the top of the 12th to drive in Eric Barone. 

Grove City sophomore Michael McMillen (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) walked to lead off the bottom of the 12th and moved to second on a sacrifice. However, he was stranded in scoring position.

Grupp pitched four innings of two-hit relief but took the loss. Junior starter Chris Hull (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) pitched the first eight innings, allowing three earned runs. Six Wolverine errors led to five unearned runs.

Grove City took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth as Grupp singled and stole second with two outs. McMillen singled in Grupp. He then crossed home on a double from freshman Jason DeMeo (Washington, Pa./Trinity). Junior Jake Cuthbert (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon) followed with a run-scoring double.

Grupp finished the afternoon 4-for-6 with a double while Cuthbert and Diller each had three-hit days. Freshman left fielder Jerry Ott (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) doubled as Grove City finished the afternoon with 19 hits. 

Keith Jackson picked up the win in relief for Thiel. Grove City will visit Waynesburg in the PAC finale Tuesday.

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