By: ZANE
GONZALEZ I @ZaneGonzo36
JOLIET, Ill.
– The Titans (9-15, 2-5) traveled to Joliet, Illinois looking to avoid a costly
sweep against the University of Saint Francis (20-12, 5-1) Sunday, but couldn’t
come out on top dropping their fifth game in a row in a 2-5 loss.
The Saints
took an early lead, scoring a run in the first inning. The game stayed a 0-1
battle until the fifth inning when the Titans fought back with 2 runs to take
the lead for their first and last time of the day.
After the
Titans put up two runs the Saints answered back with two runs of their own in
the bottom half of the inning. The Titans would surrender two more runs in the
game, one in the sixth and one in the eighth.
Junior RHP
Ben Wicklund started the game for IUSB, coming off a great start against St.
Xavier. Wicklund again gave the Titans a solid outing and a chance to win,
throwing 7 innings allowing 4 runs, and striking out 5.
Freshman
John Ward made his first appearance on the mound since the Titans spring trip
to Florida. Ward looked rusty in his one inning of work, walking two batters
and allowing one unearned run.
The offense
wasn’t quiet for IUSB as they tallied 9 hits. The top of the order for the
Titans really did their job in getting on base as the first three hitters in
the lineup each had two hits. Those being Senior Kevin Phelps, Junior Brandon
Papp, and Senior Chris Mangus.
Mangus and
Papp each had an RBI for the Titans as well.
The Titans
made 3 errors in the game, showing some weakness defensively this past week
committing 11 errors in 5 games.
With today’s
loss, the Titans drop to fifth place in the six team South Division of the
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). The Titans are in ninth
place overall in the twelve-team conference.
IUSB
continues their conference schedule Tuesday, April 4 against first place Judson
University at School Field. The Titans will play Judson in a two-game series
looking to snap their current five game losing skid.