WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indiana University South Bend baseball team earned a split on Friday, picking up their first win of the season over Taylor University.
In the series opener, the Titans (1-3) struck first as TJ DeHerrera (JR/Bolingbrook, Illinois) grounded out to the first baseman, scoring Colin Mack (FR/Wanatah, Indiana) to give the Titans a 1-0 lead. In the third frame, IU South Bend took advantage of a Taylor (10-3) mishap as Spencer McCool (SR/Anderson, Indiana) scored to put the Titans in front 2-0.
The Trojans pulled ahead with two runs in the fourth and two in the fifth. A four-run eighth inning aided by IU South Bend errors extended the Trojan lead to 8-2.
In their final at bat, the Titans plated two runs but it wasn’t enough as the host Trojans came away with an 8-4 victory.
Andy Ross (JR/Middlebury, Indiana) got the start on the mound in game two and pitched a gem, tossing a complete game and allowing just four hits.
The Titans offense gave Ross a little support in the fourth inning as DeHerrera doubled and scored on a single from Logan Young (FR/Shelbyville, Indiana).
With a 1-0 lead, Ross continued to keep the Trojans offense off the board. In the sixth the Titans once again capitalized on a Taylor error to give Ross a 2-0 lead.
Two runs would be all Ross needed to earn his first win of the season.
IU South Bend and Taylor will close out their series with two seven inning games tomorrow at Grand Park. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.