AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- Sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Ryan McCarroll (Clifton Park, N.Y) allowed just one run on four hits and struck out a career-high 11 batters, while senior catcher Robert Wirtanen (Brentwood, N.H.) knocked in a pair of runs to lead the Wheaton College (Mass.) baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Rochester Institute of Technology this morning as part of the RussMatt Invitational at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla.

The Lyons improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Tigers fall to 5-2.

The teams combined for nine hits and the Wheaton pitching staff fanned 15 batters on the day in a tidy 2:04 of action.

McCarroll improves to 1-1 on the season for the Lyons after hurling six and two-thirds innings and not allowing a walk to contribute to a team pitching effort that saw three relievers combine for two and two-thirds innings of hitless relief and four strikeouts to go with a pair of walks allowed. Senior righty closer Max Pierce (Scituate, R.I.) recorded his first save of the season with a ninth inning that included a pair of strikeouts.

Wirtanen reached base three times with a pair of walks and the two-run single for Wheaton, while senior shortstop Cavan Brady (Sheffield, Mass.) was 1-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. 

First year second baseman Jarin Moses (Union City, Ga.) was 2-4 for half of RIT's hit total, including a solo blast for his first collegiate home run. Graduate student first baseman Ian Libby (Melrose, Mass.) and senior left fielder Chris Reilly (Beachwood, Ohio) each went 1-4 for the Tigers' other two base knocks. Senior right-hander Alex Stotter (Ellington, Conn.) (1-1) was charged with the loss for RIT after giving up two runs on three hits and three free passes to go with three strikeouts. Graduate student reliever Eric Sipling (Lancaster, Pa.) was outstanding in relief, giving up one unearned run on two hits and two walks, while fanning three batters in the final four innings of the game.

The Lyons scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning for the only runs they would need for the game. Senior second baseman Mike Maher (Jefferson, Mass.) drew a one-out walk and Brady later worked a two-out walk with ball four going to the backstop on a passed ball that advanced Maher to third. Brady also moved into scoring position on a wild pitch with Wirtanen at the plate. Wirtanen delivered the next pitch into left field with a single to bring both Maher and Brady around to score and give Wheaton a 2-0 lead.

McCarroll was cruising into the seventh inning, having allowed just three hits and punching out 11 Tiger hitters via the strikeout, when Moses deposited a pitch over the fence in left-center field with one out for the only hiccup of the day for Lyon pitching. RIT was hoping for more with bases on balls issued to senior catcher Zach Mecca (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and first year second baseman Caelan Kim (Fairfax, Va.), but Wheaton lefty reliever Zach Nichols (Johnston, R.I.) got a fly out to right field to end the threat.  

The Lyons tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Brady rapped a double off the center field fence, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch to give Wheaton a 3-1 lead. 

The Lyons return to the diamond tomorrow when they head back to Auburndale to take on State University of New York Brockport at 10:30 a.m. in a re-match of last year's NCAA Regional Tournament, while the Tigers play Salve Regina University on March 15 in Auburndale at 4:30 p.m.