FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Junior outfielder Spencer Barnett (Danbury, Conn.) smashed a solo homer and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly but it wasn't enough as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team was edged by Thiel College, 6-4, in its season opener to begin its spring trip on Sunday afternoon at Lawnwood Complex.

The Wolves fell behind 5-0 in the sixth inning but nearly pulled off the dramatic comeback. Barnett launched a ball to right field, sending senior Stanley Roman (Danbury, Conn.) across the plate after he reached on an error. Shortly thereafter, sophomore Peter Coniglio (New Milford, Conn.) smacked a single to center field, pushing two more runs home. Senior Jesse Dunn (Bedford, N.Y.) and rookie Thomas Keough (Farmington, Conn.) each notched hits earlier in the frame.

Trailing 6-3 heading into the ninth, Barnett stepped into the box and drilled a shot over the left field wall, cutting the deficit to 6-4. However, the next two batters struck out before the final Wolves batter was called out on a pop up in foul territory to conclude the contest. 

Dunn and Keough finished with two hits apiece, while graduate student starting pitcher Connor Gannon (New Milford, Conn.) tossed six innings while striking out five Thiel batters. 

Nate Lucas earned the win and was solid on the mount to start for Thiel. He finished with eight strikeouts while giving up a pair of earned runs in just over seven innings of work. Mike Sittig went 3-of-4 from the plate to lead Thiel. 

With the loss, WestConn dropped to 0-1 overall while Theil improved to 1-1. The Wolves will look to pierce the win column on Day Two of their trip when they meet the University of Northwestern tomorrow at 10 a.m.