GRANGER, Ind. – Starting pitcher Zack Dobos threw a program-record ten innings as IU South Bend found themselves in a pitcher’s duel on Sunday afternoon, but a late rally from the visiting Judson Eagles would break the stalemate, 1-0 at Rex Weade Stadium.
In a game that with a win would have clinched a spot in the CCAC Tournament, the Titans (15-30-1, 9-20-1 CCAC) held their opponents without a run for nine and two-thirds innings, before an RBI double for the Eagles (17-26, 15-14 CCAC) broke the scoreless tie in the top of the 10th. Despite the loss, IUSB can still qualify for the postseason – the Titans will advance to the CCAC Tournament with a Trinity International victory over Trinity Christian on Monday.
Dobos finished with eight strikeouts and just seven hits allowed over ten innings, including a run of nine consecutive batters retired from the 3rd through 6th innings.
Twice the Titans would place two runners on the basepaths, first in the bottom of the 2nd with Kole Miller’s two-out single and a walk for Owen Benson, but were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the 9th, Brenden Bell led off the inning with a single and Brett Sikorski was hit by a pitch, but the next three batters were retired to end the threat.
A one-out walk for Judson in the top of the 10th resulted in the only run of the game, as an RBI double two batters later proved to be the difference.
Tony Reyes and Colin Mack each hit singles in the game as the Titans were held to just five hits as a team. Jake Vanderwoude finished with the team’s lone extra-base hit with a leadoff double in the bottom of the 7th.
If the Titans reach the postseason, they will open play on Thursday, May 5 at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet, Ill., with the start time to be determined early this week.