FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The Westminster College baseball team opened its 2017 season with a doubleheader split against Norwich University during its Florida Coast Spring Training trip on Sunday. The Titans won game one, 12-2, and lost, 4-3, in the second game.
 
In game one, Westminster scored three runs in the first inning, five in the second, and four in the sixth. Norwich scored a run each in the fifth and sixth innings. The Titans outhit the Cadets, 16-4. Senior Sean Coyne (New Castle, PA / New Castle) went 3-for-4 with game-highs of five RBIs and three runs. Junior Brandon Rossier (Wexford, PA / North Allegheny) and freshman Connor Cox (Ridge, MD / Leonardtown) added two RBIs each. Coyne and Rossier connected on two doubles apiece. Sophomore Travis Lauster (Slippery Rock, PA / Slippery Rock) registered two stolen bases, while freshman Vince Guerrieri (Latrobe, PA / Greater Latrobe) had one. Titan senior pitcher Nate McMaster (Stow, OH / Stow-Munroe Falls) (1-0) threw 5.2 innings, while giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He struck out five and walked none.
 
In game two, Norwich took a 1-0 lead with a run in the first. Rossier tripled in the third, bringing home sophomore Michael Douds (Erie, PA / Cathedral Prep) and junior Joseph Salmen (New Castle, PA / Union), putting the Titans in front 2-1. The Cadets tied the game at 2 with a run in the sixth. Westminster regained the lead in the seventh when senior Ty Ferlin (Latrobe, PA / Ligonier Valley) earned a sacrifice fly, scoring Salmen. In the bottom of the seventh, Norwich scored the tying run after a Titan throwing error. Norwich's Hunter Massu ended the game with a walk-off single, bringing home Jake Godbee. Titan junior pitcher Justin Abbs (Wexford, PA / North Allegheny) (0-1) gave up two runs (none earned) on one hit.
 
Westminster will continue its Florida trip on Monday, March 13 with a doubleheader versus Kenyon College. First game is slated for 10 a.m.