By Zane
Gonzalez I @ZaneGonzo36
SOUTH BEND,
Ind. – The Titans (9-10, 2-0) had their home and conference opener Friday night
in a doubleheader against Trinity International University (8-10, 0-2). IUSB
won both games with the help of great pitching in game one and an explosive
offense in game two. The Titans took game one 4-1 and game two 18-4.
Senior RHP
Trey Bickel (2-3) started game one for the Titans. Bickel was hitless through
four innings before giving up a home run in the fifth inning to TIU’s Michael
Balistreri. The home run was the only hit Bickel suffered in his 6 innings of
work while striking out 6 walking 3.
Junior LHP
Zane Gonzalez entered the game in the seventh inning to close the door for the
Titans, giving up no runs on no hits in his one inning of work while earning
the save.
Offensively
the Titans were quiet for the first three innings before scoring 2 runs in the
fourth inning that was started by a Spencer McCool double. The Titans then went
on to score 1 run in each the fifth and sixth innings.
The Titan
offense was led by Senior Sammy Nieves who went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Senior
Chris Mangus and Freshman Matt Miller each had an RBI for the Titans as well.
Game two saw
a heap load of offense from the Titans, highlighted by a 9 run fourth inning.
Junior RHP
Ben Wicklund got the ball in game two for IUSB. Wicklund had a quick first
three innings but seemed to lose his rhythm in the fourth inning, walking the
first two batters and hitting the third to start the inning.
Wicklund was
replaced by Junior LHP Zane Gonzalez (1-0) in the third inning after suffering
4 runs on 3 hits and 1 strikeout in his 3+ innings of work.
Gonzalez
seemed to stop the bleeding for the Titans throwing 3 innings himself, allowing
no runs on 2 hits while picking up the win.
IUSB’s
offense was the star of the show in game two, scoring 18 runs on 15 hits.
Five Titans
had multiple hit games, including Sophomore Spencer McCool who went 3 for 4
with 6 RBI’s and a home run. Sammy Nieves had another good game at the plate
going 2 for 4 with 4 RBI’s and a home run as well. Senior Kevin Phelps had the
most hits for the Titans going 4 for 5 with 2 runs in game two.
The Titans
return to action Tuesday, March 28 on the road in a non-conference game against
Huntington University.