AUBURNDALE, Fla.--Trine University's Ben Wheaton pitched seven innings of shutout ball, to lead the Thunder past UMass Boston Baseball 3-0 in the Beacons' Florida opener. 

THE BASICS 

Trine University 3, UMass Boston 0 

(UMass Boston 1-2) 

(Trine University 3-3) 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Wheaton came on in the third inning and allowed just four hits and two walks over the final seven innings, to keep the Beacons' bats in check. The sophomore also struck out four to earn his first win of the 2016 season. 

UMass Boston mustered just five hits for the second-straight contest, as the Beacons' bats have yet to warm in their first three contests. Junior Dave Murphy (Plymouth, Mass.) led the offense with a double, while freshman Ryan Olivo (Rochester, N.Y.) added a pinch-hit single in his first collegiate appearance. 

On the mound, freshman Manny Garcia (Boston, Mass.) and Fernando Burgos (Hyde Park, Mass.) combined to go the final 3.1 innings. The pair allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out four. 

Sophomore Steve Witkowski (Pittsfield, Mass.) took the loss, after allowing three runs, one earned in 5.1 innings. The sophomore righty struggled with his control, as he walked four, hit two batters and uncorked two wild pitches. 

Trine got to Witkowski in the top of the third, when Jake Kendall worked a one-out walk and came around to score on a pair of passed balls and an RBI groundout from Jake LaBounty. 

The Thunder put the game away in the sixth with a two-run inning. Trine used a pair of doubles, an error and a wild pitch to score the two runs and to end Witkowski's day. 

UMass Boston had good chances to score throughout the day, but couldnt muster a hit with runners on. The Beacons had their best chance in the bottom of the first inning, but with the bases loaded and two down, Trine starting pitcher Zachary Schulte induced a flyout. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

• UMass Boston left nine runners on base in the contest. Over their last two games, the Beacons have left 17 runners on and scored just one run. 
• The Beacons' pitching staff continues to be a bright spot, as the Beacons collectively own a 1.00 earned run average through three games. 
• Thursday's contest marked the first-ever game between UMass Boston and Trine. 

WHO'S NEXT

 UMass Boston will look to turn things around on Friday, as the Beacons take on Rhodes College at 3:00 p.m.