AUBURNDALE, FL-The Saint Joseph's College (5-2) baseball team wrapped up its day at Lake Myrtle with a pair of losses to Central College (Iowa) (7-3) on Thursday. The Monks fell 11-6 in the opener before dropping the afternoon game 14-3, despite some strong individual performances.

Game 1: Central (Iowa) 11, Saint Joseph's 6

The Monks battled back from an early deficit in the opener. Trailing 3-0 in the third, they put up five runs on five hits to take a 5-3 lead. Freshman Nick Villano (Peabody, MA) delivered the highlight of the inning with his first collegiate home run, a three-run shot. Michael Wearne (Ellington, CT)and Jack Carlisle (Portsmouth, NH) added RBI singles to fuel the rally.

Connor Finn (Kingston, MA) and Alex Moore (Henniker, NH) each contributed a hit and a run scored, while sophomore Luke Doughty (York, ME) chipped in with a single. Ethan Belvin (Claremont, NH) roped a double down the left field line as part of the third-inning surge.

Luke Wearne (Ellington, CT) provided 2? innings of relief while also picking up a double at the plate. Defensively, the Monks had some bright spots, including solid play from Michael Wearne at third base.

Game 2: Central (Iowa) 14, Saint Joseph's 3

The Monks (5-2) struck first in the second game, as Nick Frink launched a two-run homer in the first inning, scoring Luke Doughty. Nic Frink (Scarborough, ME) finished 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs to pace the offense.

Ethan Belvin kept his strong day going with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly. Doughty reached base twice with a single and a walk, while Dylan Brander (Merrimack, NH) and Nick Brindle (Pittsfield, MA) each added doubles.

The defense turned a key double play in the second inning to keep the game close early, with Brindle at second base and Doughty at shortstop.

NEXT!

The Monks are back in action against Penn State Abington in a double header tomorrow for the final games of their spring training trip.