By: ZANE
GONZALEZ I @ZaneGonzo36
SOUTH BEND,
Ind. - The Titans (9-14, 2-4) faced
conference opponent University of Saint Francis (19-12, 4-1) in the first two
games of a three-game set between the two teams. IUSB lost both games, game one
by a score of 6-11, and game two 4-5 marking the Titans fourth straight loss.
Freshman
RHP/C Jordan Moore (1-2) made his first start of the season for the Titans in
game one, only lasting 2 innings before running into some trouble. Moore gave
up 7 runs, 6 earned, in his 2+ innings of work, before being taken out and
replaced by Junior LHP Zane Gonzalez.
Gonzalez
entered the game in the third inning with runners on first and second, but
couldn’t strand them allowing both to score. Which extended Saint Francis’ lead
to 4.
Gonzalez
completed the game out of the bullpen, throwing 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 8
hits, while striking out 3.
Offensively
the Titans fought back all game, scoring 6 runs on 9 hits.
IUSB was led
by Senior Chris Mangus and Sophomore Spencer McCool, who each had 2 hits, 2
RBI’s, and a home run in game one. Senior Kevin Phelps hit his second home run
of the season in game one as well.
Game two was
a one-run game that came down to a play at the plate.
The Titans
had Senior Trey Bickel (2-4) on the mound, giving IUSB an impressive
performance once again. Bickel threw all 9 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits
and striking out 9 while receiving the loss.
IUSB outhit
the Saints in game two, tallying 9 hits once again.
Spencer
McCool stayed hot at the plate, adding 2 more hits and a home run. Freshman
Matt Miller also had two hits in game two as well.
It wasn’t
until the ninth inning that the Titans started to string some good at-bats
together. After Sammy Nieves flew out to start the inning, Freshman TJ
DeHerrera got his first collegiate hit with a pinch-hit double. Miller followed
up DeHerrera with an RBI single up the middle.
With two
outs Kevin Phelps came to the plate with Miller on second in a one-run game.
Phelps hit a slow roller to the Saints second baseman who bobbled the ball and
didn’t make a play on Phelps. While bobbling the ball, Miller tried to score
from second on the grounder but was thrown out at the plate on a close, controversial
play.
The Titans
lost their fourth straight game in a nail-biter by one run. This was the Titans
sixth one-run loss this season and their third one-run loss in conference play.
The Titans
return to action April 2nd traveling to Saint Francis to complete
the three-game series, looking to avoid the sweep.