GRANGER, Ind. – IU South Bend would hold a four-run lead midway through the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader with Roosevelt, but the Lakers’ late rally would result in a series sweep as the Titans fell 13-5 and 9-5 at Rex Weade Stadium.
The Titans (12-27-1, 6-17-1 CCAC) struck for three runs on four hits in the bottom of the 3rd, with RBI base hits from Nolan Unger, Brenden Bell, and Donnie Necas giving the home team an early 3-0 advantage. After Bell’s leadoff walk in the bottom of the 5th, Jake Vanderwoude added to the lead with a two-out RBI double for the 4-0 lead.
The Lakers (20-21, 14-11 CCAC) battled back, scoring three runs in the next three innings, claiming their first lead of the game in the top of the 7th and going up 9-4 by the middle of the 8th. Brett Sikorski would cut into the deficit with a run-scoring double, bringing Bell home, but IUSB were unable to complete the rally.
Bell and Vanderwoude each reached base four times in the second game of the doubleheader, both recording a double and an RBI, with Bell scoring three runs throughout the game.
In the opening contest on Saturday afternoon, the Lakers would strike early, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st, and another in the 3rd for a 4-0 lead. Three straight Titans would reach base to start the bottom of the 3rd, leading to a sacrifice fly from Tony Reyes that brought in two runs on a Roosevelt error. Bell’s RBI single then scored Unger to make it a 4-3 game, but the Lakers came back with two runs in the 4th and a seven-run outburst in the top of the 5th to put the game away.
Unger finished game one as the lone Titan with multiple base hits, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs.
The Titans will look to bounce back on Wednesday, when they head to Joliet for a doubleheader with St. Francis. First pitch with the Saints is set for 4:00 p.m. ET.
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