LAKE WALES, Fla. - Indiana Wesleyan University baseball earned a signature win early in the 2010 season as the Wildcats dominated No. 10-ranked Bellevue (Neb.) College 6-0 on Thursday afternoon in the Warner Tournament in Lake Wales, Florida.

IWU freshman starting pitcher Sam Lewis was stellar on the mound. Lewis pitched a two-hit complete game shutout against one of the top NAIA programs in the country. He struck out six Bruins on the afternoon.

"This was such a huge win for our program," said Indiana Wesleyan baseball coach Chad Newhard. "Sam Lewis was tremendous in a game that could define our season."

Indiana Wesleyan struck early with two runs in the first inning. Senior leftfielder TJ Fletcher scored the eventual game-winning run on an error by the second baseman and junior Kyle Beachy picked up a RBI to complete the scoring in the first inning.

The Wildcats extended their lead with a big four run third inning. Freshman centerfielder Quinn Nofziger, sophomore catcher Alex Ridlen and sophomore rightfielder Seth White all singled as White's base hit chased home Nofziger.

Beachy smacked a RBI single as did junior Derek Freds for a 5-0 lead. IWU collected their sixth run on a Bellevue throwing error.

Nofziger was 1-for-1 at the plate with three walks while Beachy finished 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Earlier in the day, Indiana Wesleyan lost a 16-7 decision to Thomas (Ga.) University.

The big blow to Indiana Wesleyan was the nine run third inning for Thomas to blow the game open. Indiana Wesleyan did most of their damage in the fifth and sixth innings. In each frame, IWU scored three runs.

The offense collected 11 hits and five walks, led by Fletcher and Nofziger. Fletcher reached base four times with a 3-for-4 performance and a walk. He scored a run, drove one home and had a stolen base. Nofziger was 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of runs scored.

Ridlen was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Indiana Wesleyan will next face Bellevue (Neb.) College later today at 2:30 p.m.