WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Indiana University South Bend baseball (16-26, 11-13 CCAC) team split their midweek non-conference doubleheader with Grace College (16-25, 8-20 CCAC), losing game one in lopsided fashion 20-4 and winning game two late with three runs in the final inning 7-6.
Game 1 (L 20-4)
The Titans got on the board first scoring one run in the top of the first inning 1-0 when Michael Szatkowski scored on a stolen base that the Grace catcher threw away. The Lancers responded with five runs to take the lead 5-1 in the bottom of the first inning taking advantage of some Titan defensive miscues. Evan Fortson had an RBI ground out that allowed the Titans to chip away at the Lancer lead, but Grace added eight more runs in the bottom of the second inning on two home runs and two doubles to take a commanding 13-2 lead. Grace continued to extend their lead with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and one run in the fifth inning to pull away 18-2 through five innings of play. Gabe Cortez hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to give the Titans a couple more runs, but Grace responded in the bottom half of the inning two more runs of their win to win game one 20-4. The Titans threw a bullpen game sending six different pitchers to the mound, but ultimately it was Peyton Ring who picked up the loss throwing the first inning giving up five runs, two earned, on four hits and one strikeout.
Game 2 (W 7-6)
Game two of the day was much different than game one as it was more of a pitchers duel early in the game. The Titans scored first in the top of the second inning on an Evan Fortson RBI double. Grace tied the game up in the bottom of the third inning on a two out error that allowed a run to come across. The Lancers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring three runs on a bunt that got away from the Titan defense and a RBI ground out. The Titans added a run in the top of the fifth inning to bring the game to a Grace 4-2 lead. In the top of the sixth the Titans regained the lead 6-4 on a Quinn Meier two out three RBI double, giving the Titans their first lead since the second inning. Grace College responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on two out RBI double and two out RBI single to take a 6-5 lead going into the last inning. The Titans found a way to rally and score two runs and take the lead in the top of seventh inning on a Jack Ryan RBI sacrifice fly and a wild pitch that scored Michael Szatkowski. Jack Kienzle relieved Max Shultz with a runner on first and nobody out in the bottom of the seventh inning and was able to retire the side and pick up the save.
The Titans return to action Friday April 18th when they travel to Joliet, Ill. for day one of their four game weekend series with the University of St. Francis (IL) (19-22, 15-9 CCAC), day two is currently scheduled to be played at Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, on Saturday April 19th.