WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Grove City College baseball team scored four runs in top of the ninth and sophomore Phil Bell (Poland, Ohio/Heartland Christian) struck out the side in the bottom half as the third-seeded Wolverines rallied for an 8-7 victory over No. 2-seed Thomas More in their opening game of the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park on Thursday afternoon.

Sophomore third baseman Micah Burke (Gilbert, Ariz./E.V.A.C.) led the Wolverines (18-17) by going 3 for 5 with two RBIs while senior right fielder Nolan Myers (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) added a pair of hits and senior catcher Andy Fritz (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch) drove in a pair - including the eventual game-winning run in the top of the ninth to cap the Grove City rally.

Trailing 7-4 heading into their final trip to the plate, senior shortstop David Laylock (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pine Richland) drew a leadoff walk and junior pinch hitter Cameron Smail (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) reached on catcher's interference. After a flyout, Burke singled to shallow right field to load the bases for senior first baseman Matt Waugaman (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny). Waugaman singled up the middle to score Laylock and a fielding error allowed Smail to score to bring Grove City within a single run. Sophomore left fielder Travis Auth (Medina, Ohio/Medina) then grounded into what could have been a game-ending double-play, but the Saints through the second leg away, allowing Burke to come home from third and score to tie the game at 7-7.

Freshman outfielder Austin Wacker (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) entered the game for Auth as a pinch runner and promptly stole second to get into scoring position for Fritz. Fritz answered the call, driving a single to right center to bring Wacker home and give the Wolverines an 8-7 lead.

That was enough for Bell, who earned his second relief win of the week by striking out Thomas More's 2-3-4 in order.

Bell earned the victory on the mound in relief, allowing just a single hit in two scoreless innings of relief. Sophomore John Bini (Staten Island, N.Y./Xaverian) started and scattered 12 hits and seven runs over seven innings.

Thomas More (26-11) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and added another run in the fourth to lead 3-0 through four. Grove City answered in the top of the fifth, as sophomore Bobby Dulay (Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline) drove Myers home on an RBI-fielder's choice and Burke later drove Dulay and freshman designated hitter Matt Dayton (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) home on a single to tie the game at 3-3.

The Saints used a four-run seventh to extend their lead, but a Fritz sacrifice fly scored Burke in the top of the eighth to keep Grove City in striking distance for its late rally.

Grove City returns to action tomorrow at 12 p.m., taking on top-seed and host Washington and Jefferson at Ross Memorial Park.