AUBURNDALE, FL (March 6, 2022) -- The King's College baseball team strung together six runs between the seventh and eighth innings, but the early lead from Rochester Institute of Technology proved costly as the Monarchs fell, 10-7, in their 2022 opener in the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational on Sunday morning.

After a scoreless first two innings on both sides, RIT plated five runs in the third to spark their offense. The Tigers saw five more runs cross the plate heading into the bottom of the seventh before the Monarchs bats got hot.

Senior Shane Beyer got things started with a one-out single to centerfield before fellow-senior Andrew Steidle was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. A single from sophomore Stewart Caladie loaded the bases, and King's (0-1) got on the board for the first time in 2022 off a Tigers error. A sacrifice fly from sophomore Chase Yochem plated one more for the Monarchs as they trailed, 10-2, after seven innings.

King's carried the momentum into the eighth, loading the bases on two walks and a hit batter before Steidle was hit by another pitch to bring home the run. Caladie delivered as he drove in another tally to set up a double from Yochem that drove in the final run of the inning as King's faced a 10-6 deficit heading into the ninth.

A quick top of the ninth by the Monarchs defense, but the Tigers would not allow King's to chip away at the deficit in the bottom of the ninth as King's dropped the tough 10-7 loss in their 2022 season opener.

Yochem led King's, going 2-for-5, with two RBIs, a double, and a stolen base. First year Zach Day, Beyer, and Caladie also recorded hits in the loss, while Steidle led King's with two runs scored. Senior Colby Toth got the start to begin the 2022 season, totaling 3.1 innings of work and giving up just two earned runs while striking out three. Fellow-senior Randy Paulino put in a solid 1.1 innings on the mound, allowing just one unearned run, before junior Will Hronich closed out the final 3.2 innings, holding the Tigers scoreless and striking out four.

RIT's starting pitcher Christian Marchbanks earned the win, going for 5.0 innings, holding the Monarchs scoreless, and striking out five. Ian Libby led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two doubles, and a run scored.

King's continues its spring training trip in the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational tomorrow, March 7, as they take on Martin Luther in a doubleheader, with first pitch set for 9:00 a.m. in Auburndale, Florida at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park.