AUBURNDALE, FL (March 5, 2020) --- The King's College baseball team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning but were unable to drive in the game-tying run in a 4-2 loss to Wartburg College on Thursday afternoon from the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Florida.

The Knights (6-1) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of a pitcher's duel on a pair of singles, a couple of ground outs and a wild pitch. They would increase the lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a leadoff double and RBI single to right.

The Monarchs (4-3) put at least one runner on base in the first five innings but were unable to drive in a run. KC left two runners stranded in the second and third innings and six runners total after the first four innings. Jonathan Hoyt put the Monarchs on the board in the fifth with a single down the line in right scoring Matt Dobeck. Dobeck started the inning with a single to left, stole second, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch before Hoyt drove him in with the team's first run.

Matt Mellinger pitched 3.1 innings in his first start of the year for the Monarchs striking out three. He allowed three runs on seven hits before being relieved by Brendan Mozeleski in the fourth. Mozeleski had his best outing of the year in his third appearance throwing 3.2 innings of two hit ball. The only run he gave up came in the eighth inning on a bunt single, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and then a sacrifice fly down the right field line where Chris Burke made a great diving stop to get the out.

In the ninth inning, Cole Keating started the rally with a one out pinch-hit single to left on the first pitch he saw. Pat Noone followed that up with a single to the gap in left center on the first pitch he saw. Matt Dobeck loaded the bases with a single down the leftfield line and then Hoyt knocked in a run with a single through the left side. Unfortunately for the Monarchs that was all they were able to get as Trevor Hurd struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Hurd was excellent on the hill for the Knights to earn his first win of the year. He pitched the final four innings allowing just one run on five hits and two strikeouts. Tyler Nunemaker led WC with three hits and two runs scored while Ethan Hayes had two hits.

Hoyt had three hits and two RBI for the Monarchs while Dobeck had three hits and one run scored. Andrew Seidle struck out one batter and walked one without allowing a hit while facing four batters in the eighth.

King's will return to the diamond on Friday morning for a doubleheader against Neumann University. The first of two games at Lake Myrtle Sports Park will begin at 9 am on Field 1.