June 7

Tri-State Spring Sport Scholar-Athletes Named

             The NAIA has released the 2004 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes for the spring sports.  Justin Hole, Mike Sattler, and Jon Walmer were named Scholar-Athletes for baseball.  Todd Hack received the award for men’s golf.  Amanda Portis and Tim Heiman were scholar athletes for track.  Sarah Piper and Abbie Walker were named scholar athletes for softball.  Hole, Sattler, Walmer, Hack, and Portis also received the award last year.

            Seniors Justin Hole, Mike Sattler, and Jon Walmer helped lead the Thunder baseball team to a 16-23-1 record on the season.  Hole majored in biology and originated from Muncie, Indiana.  Sattler is a chemical engineering major from Brighton, Michigan.  Walmer majored in business and is from Warsaw, Indiana.

            Senior Todd Hack had a successful spring campaign for the Thunder.  He earned medalist honors at the Aquinas College Golf Invitational.  Hack majored in engineering and is from Angola, Indiana. 

            Senior Amanda Portis made a repeat trip to the NAIA National Championship this spring.  Portis competed in the 5000 and 10,000 meter runs at the national meet.  She finished 23^rd in the 5000 meter run and 14^th in the 10,000 meter run.  Portis received her chemical engineering degree in May and is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Junior Tim Heiman competed in the 1500 meter run at the national meet.  Heiman is a mechanical engineering major from Avilla, Indiana. 

            Juniors Sarah Piper and Abbie Walker were members of the Thunder softball team that finished the season with a record of 13-21-2.  Piper is a physical education major from Celina, Ohio.  Walker is a psychology major from St. Charles, Michigan.

            To be named a Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete, student-athletes must be a junior or senior in status and have cumulated a 3.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. 

May 12

Tri-State Baseball Sweeps Three Game Series from Kalamazoo

             The Tri-State University baseball team finished their 2004 season with a sweep of Kalamazoo College.  The Thunder ended the season with a record of 16-23. 

            On Friday the Thunder defeated Kalamazoo by a score of 8-5.  Dusty Bergman earned the win on the mound for Tri-State, pitching two hitless innings.  Mike Sattler, Mark Urbanski, and Jon Walmer each had a hit for the Thunder.  Sattler had two RBI’s.  Urbanski scored three runs and Walmer scored two runs with one RBI.

            In game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, Tri-State jumped out to a 5-0 lead on their way to an 11-5 victory.  Jon Lies batted 4-4 with one home run and five RBI’s.  Sattler was 2-2 with two RBI’s and two runs scored.  Nate Whewell earned the win for the Thunder.

            Tri-State took game two of the doubleheader 12-6.  Scott Hammer was 3-3 with three RBI’s and three runs scored.  Lies had one hit, two RBI’s and two runs scored.  Kyle Stoops pitched five innings and gave up three runs in earning the victory.   

May 4

Tri-State Baseball Drops Two Games to Hope  

            The Tri-State University baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader to Hope College.  Hope won the three game series two games to one.

            Tri-State fell 14-1 in game one of the doubleheader.  The Thunder only managed two hits, while allowing 16 Hope hits.  Hope broke open the game with a nine run sixth inning.  Brian Bego and Kris Krstich had the Thunder hits.

            The Thunder fell behind 11-1 after four innings in game two. Tri-State mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh that fell short by a score of 11-5.  Bego and Mark Urbanski each had three hits for Tri-State. 

            Tri-State returns to action at home on May 7^th and 8^th against Kalamazoo College for their final series of the season.  

May 3

Bego’s Home Run Lifts Thunder over Hope

             Brian Bego had a pinch hit home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Tri-State over Hope College by a score of 9-8.  Tri-State improves to 13-21 on the season, while Hope falls to 18-17. 

            The game had seven lead changes with no team leading by more than three runs.  Hope held a commanding 5-2 lead before Tri-State exploded for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-5 lead.  Both teams battled back and forth with Hope tying the game at eight in the top of the eighth inning before Bego’s game winning home run.

            Tri-State pounded out 13 hits in the game.  Dusty Bergman led the Thunder offense with four hits (three doubles), two runs scored, and two RBI’s.  Mark Urbanski had three doubles and two RBI’s.  Ryan Funkhouser earned the win on the mound for Tri-State.  Funkhouser gave up one unearned run in the final two innings. 

            Tri-State returns to the field on Tuesday at home as they continue their three game series against Hope College.

April 26

Tri-State Baseball Swept by Adrian  

            The Tri-State University baseball team lost all three games of their series with Adrian College.  Tri-State falls to 12-21 on the season, while Adrian improves to 20-13.

            On Friday night, Adrian defeated the Thunder 7-1.  Brian Bego had a double for the Thunder and scored one run.  Kris Krstich led the defense with 11 put outs. 

            In game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, Adrian fought to a 6-5 victory in eight innings.  Mark Baird was 2-2 with one RBI and one run scored.  Dusty Bergman also had two hits. 

            In game two of the doubleheader, Tri-State was defeated by a score of 5-2.  Mark Urbanski led the Thunder offense with two hits, one RBI and one run scored. 

            Tri-State returns to action at home on May 3^rd and 4^th in their three game series with Hope College.

April 19

Tri-State Baseball Takes Two of Three from Alma  

The Tri-State University baseball team won two of three in their series with Alma College.  Tri-State was defeated 13-9 in game one on Friday, but swept the Saturday doubleheader 5-2 and 9-8. 

On Friday, Mark Urbanski and Jon Walmer each had three hits to lead the Thunder.  Kris Krstich added two hits and two runs scored.  Bryan Reid suffered the loss on the mound for the Thunder, giving up 10 runs off 12 hits.

In game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, Tri-State jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings and never let up.  Kyle Stoops earned the win for Tri-State, pitching five innings, while giving up two runs off of six hits.  Ryan Funkhouser had the save, pitching two scoreless innings.  Urbanski had two hits and two RBI’s in the game.  Mike Sattler contributed with two hits, two runs, and one RBI.

Mark Urbanski pounded out four hits and had three RBI’s in game two.  Scott Hammer added three hits.  John Kimmerly earned the save and Ryan Funkhouser got his second save of the day. 

Tri-State is now 12-18 on the season.  The Thunder return to action on Tuesday, April 20^th at Huntington College.

April 10

Tri-State Baseball Drops Two to Calvin 

            The Tri-State University baseball team dropped two games to Calvin College.  Tri-State was defeated 10-2 in game one and 11-8 in game two.  The Thunder drops their record to 10-17, while Calvin improves to 7-13.

            In game one, Tri-State only managed six hits, while giving up 14.  Bryan Reid suffered the loss on the mound, giving up seven runs off 10 hits in 5.2 innings.  Grant Klinedinst was 2-2 in the game with one RBI and one run scored.  Mike Sattler, Jon Lies, Brian Bego, and Jon Walmer each added one hit.

            In game two, Tri-State could not hold on to a 4-1 lead after two innings.  Calvin outscored Tri-State 10-4 in the next five innings to capture an 11-8 victory.  Lies, Bego, and Walmer each had two hits.  Sattler and Scott Hammer contributed with two RBI’s 

April 9

Tri-State Baseball Defeated by Calvin  

The Tri-State University baseball team fell to Calvin College 17-6.  This loss drops Tri-State’s record to 10-15, while Calvin improves to 5-13. 

Tri-State only had seven hits and Calvin pounded out 18 hits, including four home runs.  Jon Lies, Scott Hammer, and Dusty Bergman each had two hits and one RBI for Tri-State.  Mike Sattler had one hit and three runs scored.  Kris Krstich led the Thunder defense with 10 put outs and Mark Urbanski added five assists.

Tri-State resumes their series with Calvin College on Saturday.  The first game starts at 12:00 PM.

April 7

Tri-State Baseball Fights Back to Defeat Purdue North Central 

The Tri-State University baseball team overcame a 7-1 deficit after four innings to defeat Purdue North Central 14-12.  Tri-State improves their record to 10-14, while Purdue North Central falls to 7-5-1.

Mark Urbanski led the Thunder offense batting 3-6, with two doubles, two RBI’s and two runs scored.  Scott Hammer had three hits, two RBI’s, and two runs scored.  Jon Lies, Brian Bego, Jon Walmer, and Kris Krstich each had two hits apiece. 

Bryan Reid earned the win on the mound for Tri-State pitching 2 innings and giving up one run off one hit.  Ryan Funkhouser earned the save.

Tri-State returns to action at home Friday, April 9^th against Calvin College.  Tri-State also plays at home Saturday, April 10^th in a doubleheader against Calvin College.

April 4

Tri-State Baseball Falls to Ohio Northern  

The Tri-State University baseball team lost two games to Ohio Northern University.  Tri-State fell 15-5 in game one and 11-3 in game two.  Tri-State is now 9-14 on the season, while Ohio Northern improves to 7-9. 

In game one, Jon Walmer was 2-2 with a double and one RBI.  Brian Bego, Kris Krstich, Adam Beltz, and Grant Klinedinst each had one hit.  Krstich also had five put outs. 

In game two, Tri-State had a 2-2 tie after three innings.  Ohio Northern scored six runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead for good.  Jon Lies and Mark Urbanski led the Thunder offense with two hits apiece.  Lies also had two runs scored. 

Tri-State returns to action Tuesday, April 6^th as they travel to South Bend, IN to take on Purdue North Central at 1:00 PM.  Tri-State will then travel to Plymouth, IN to take on the South Bend Silverhawks at 6:00 PM

April 4

Tri-State Baseball Takes One From Olivet  

The Tri-State University baseball team was 1-2 against Olivet College in their three game series.  Tri-State’s record is now 9-12, while Olivet is 8-13 on the season.

Olivet defeated Tri-State 8-4 Friday night.  Tri-State had 13 hits in the game but left 14 runners on base.  Mark Urbanski was 3-4 with two RBI’s.  Jon Lies, Brian Bego, and Kris Krstich each had two hits. 

In Saturday’s doubleheader, Olivet took game one 2-1.  Olivet rallied back to take the win with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.  Scott Hammer was 2-3 with one RBI.  Mike Sattler, Jon Lies, and Marc Baird each had one hit for Tri-State.  Kyle Stoops suffered the loss on the mound.  Stoops pitched 6.2 innings, gave up three hits, two runs (one earned), and struck out three.

Tri-State pounded out 11 hits in game two of the doubleheader and took advantage of five Olivet errors.  Mike Sattler led the offense with two hits and three runs.  Scott Hammer was 2-2 with two RBI’s.  Jon Walmer was 2-3 with two runs scored. 

March 31

Tri-State Baseball Wins Slugfest over Concordia  

The Tri-State University baseball team defeated Concordia College 17-15.  Tri-State jumped out to an early 8-5 lead in the first inning.  Concordia fought back in the second inning to take a 9-8 lead.  The Thunder kept battling to retake the lead 11-9 in the fourth inning.

Brian Bego led the Thunder attack with three doubles, five RBI’s and two runs scored.  Mike Sattler was 3-5 with one home run, four RBI’s and four runs scored.  Dusty Bergman also had three hits for Tri-State with three RBI’s and two runs scored.  Kyle Stoops picked up the win for the Thunder pitching 3.2 innings, giving up one run while striking out four.  Ryan Funkhouser earned the save.

Tri-State improves their season record to 8-10.  The Thunder return to action Friday, April 2^nd at Olivet College.

March 30

Bego’s Grand Slam Propels Thunder Past Goshen College 

The Tri-State University baseball team split their doubleheader against Goshen College.  Goshen defeated Tri-State 4-1 in game one and the Thunder got revenge with a 6-2 victory in game two.

In game one, Brian Bego scored the lone Thunder run off an RBI by Marc Baird.  Tri-State had five hits in game one, but left six runners on base.  Nate Whewell pitched 4.1 innings giving up four runs on six hits. 

In game two, Goshen College scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead.  Tri-State’s comeback in the bottom of the sixth was capped off by a grand slam home run by Brian Bego, to put the Thunder ahead 6-2.  Tri-State capitalized on three Goshen errors to score six runs on one hit.  Bryan Reid pitched six inning for Tri-State giving up two runs on two hits and striking out three. 

Tri-State improves their season record to 7-10.  Goshen drops their record to 13-9.  Tri-State returns to action Wednesday, March 31^st at home against Concordia.

March 30

Tri-State Baseball Drops Third Game Against Albion 

The Tri-State University baseball team dropped their third straight game against Albion College by a score of 2-0.  Tri-State only managed three hits while giving up 10 hits.  Jon Lies, Scott Hammer, and Jon Walmer each had one hit.  Mark Urbanski led the Thunder defense with 13 put outs and Lies had seven assists.  Tri-State drops their season record to 6-9. 

March 29

Tri-State Baseball Can’t Hold On To Lead Against Albion 

The Tri-State University baseball team could not hold on to their one run lead in both games of the doubleheader against Albion College.  Albion won game one 2-1 and game two 3-1.  Tri-State drops their season record to 6-8, while Albion improves to 9-7.

In game one, Jon Walmer scored in the second inning for the Thunder off an RBI by Grant Klinedinst to give Tri-State a 1-0 lead.  Albion rallied and scored in the fifth and sixth innings to capture a 2-1 victory.  Dusty Bergman, Scott Hammer, Mark Urbanski, and Grant Klinedinst each had one hit apiece for the Thunder.  Kyle Stoops suffered the loss for Tri-State giving up two runs in five innings, while striking out five. 

            Game two brought the same result for the Thunder as they struck first, scoring one run in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead.  Albion blasted out three hits in the sixth inning to take a 3-1 victory.  Jon Walmer was 2-3 in the game with one RBI.  Mark Urbanski and Justin Hole each had one hit for Tri-State. 

March 23

Urbanski’s Home Run Lifts Thunder Over St. Francis 

The Tri-State University baseball team defeated the University of St. Francis 8-6.  Mark Urbanski hit a two run game winning homerun in the 10^th inning.  Urbanski was 2-4 on the night with two runs scored, two RBI’s and 12 put outs.  Dusty Bergman and Scott Hammer each contributed two hits in the game.  Jon Walmer had a home run and drove in three runs.  Brandon Hull pitched five scoreless innings and Ryan Funkhouser earned the win.

Tri-State improves their season record to 6-6.  The Thunder return to action Friday, March 26^th at Albion College.

March 22

Tri-State Baseball Drops Season Record to 5-6 

The Tri-State University baseball team lost both games of their doubleheader against Goshen College on Saturday.  In the first game the Thunder fell to the Maple Leafs 8-5.  Tri-State had 11 hits in the game, but had12 runners left on base.  Mark Urbanski led the Thunder offense with three hits, and two runs scored.  Dusty Bergman contributed two hits and three RBI’s.  Kyle Stoops pitched 4.2 innings, giving up five hits and six runs in the losing effort. 

Tri-State was shut-out 8-0 in the second game.  The Thunder only managed six hits, while giving up 13.  Mark Urbanski and Dusty Bergman were each 2-3 in the game. 

March 15

Tri-State Baseball Swept by Manchester 

The Tri-State University baseball team was swept by Manchester College in a doubleheader.  The Thunder dropped the first game 8-4.  Scott Hammer led the Thunder offense going 3-3 on the day with one run scored.  Mark Urbanski was one for three on the day with one home run and two RBI’s.  Urbanski also led Tri-State’s defense with 10 put outs.  Nate Whewell suffered the loss for the Thunder giving up eight runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. 

Tri-State fell 14-1 in the second game against Manchester.  The Thunder gave up 12 hits in the game.  Brian Bego was 2-2 for Tri-State with one double.  Jon Walmer was 2-4 on the day.  Scott Hammer was 1-2 and scored the lone Thunder run.

Tri-State drops their season record to 5-4 on the season.  The Thunder return to action Saturday, March 20^th at Goshen College.

March 9

Tri-State Baseball Starts Season 5-2  

The Tri-State University baseball team had a successful spring trip to Port Charlotte, Florida, finishing the week with a record of 5-2.  The Thunder opened up the season splitting their first four games.  They defeated Urbana University in their opening game 11-10, and then were defeated by Grace College 6-7 in their second game.  In their second match-up, the Thunder regrouped to take the game from Grace 8-6.  Tri-State fell to Urbana 3-1.  The Thunder finished their break with wins over Concordia University (11-2), Grace (6-5), and Urbana University (20-0). 

 Junior pitcher Ryan Funkhouser started the season with a record of 2-0 and had one save.  Junior Bryan Reid, freshman Aaron Ruble, and sophomore Kyle Stoops each recorded a win for the Thunder.  Junior Mark Urbanski batted .613 with 19 hits, nine RBI’s, and 25 put outs on the week to lead the Thunder.  Junior Jon Lies added 12 hits.  Senior Jon Walmer had eight RBI’s and 16 assists.