PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill.- The Indiana University South Bend Titans (13-19, 9-6 CCAC) defeated the Trinity Christian College Trolls (17-16, 11-4 CCAC) in both games of a doubleheader by scores of 8-0 and 5-0. Sunday's wins advance IU South Bend to fourth place in conference, just two games back of first place Trinity Christian. 

Game 1

Senior southpaw Taylor Clifton started on the mound for the Titans in game one, allowing no hits through two innings of work to earn his second win of the 2023 season. 

Cal Whitaker relieved Clifton in the third inning and retired the Trolls in order while striking out one. 

Junior right hander Jake McKendry relieved Whitaker in the bottom of the fourth and earned his first save of the year by pitching four innings of shutout baseball, allowing just one hit and striking out four.

As a staff, IU South Bend punched out six Trinity Christian Trolls and allowed only one hit in the game one victory.

Designated hitter Kaleb Farnham got the offense started in the top of the first with an RBI single that plated Coby Campbell. Farnham would eventually come around to score on a Trinity Christian throwing error.

A first inning Brenden Bell RBI single extended the Titans lead to 4-0 headed into the bottom of the first.

Shortstop Brett Sikorski drove in one run in the top of the second with an RBI fielder's choice that scored Logan Smith.

Fourth inning RBI singles by Kole Miller and Brett Sikorski stretched the Titans lead to 7-0 through four innings of play. 

Jake VanderWoude wrapped up the IU South Bend scoring with an RBI groundout that scored Cooper Gean to extend the Titans lead.

IU South Bend went on to win game one of Saturday's doubleheader 8-0.

Game 2

Senior right hander Bryson Taylor started game two for IU South Bend, allowing two hits through two innings of work while striking out one Troll.

Payton Carney relieved Taylor, throwing a scoreless bottom of the third in his inning of work. 

Alex Babbitt relieved Carney and pitched a season high nine innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits and striking out seven on the way to his second win of the year and potentially a CCAC Pitcher of the Week selection. 

Game two remained scoreless through 11 innings of play before the Titans broke the game open with five runs in the top of the twelfth inning.

Brett Sikorski got the Titans on the board in the twelfth with an RBI double that scored Owen Benson. 

Brenden Bell extend the Titans lead with an RBI fielder's choice to give the Titans a 2-0 lead.

Center fielder Donnie Necas continued the rally in the twelfth with a 2 RBI triple to right field that scored Josiah Nelson and Brenden Bell.

Catcher Anthony Pohl capped off the IU South Bend scoring with an RBI single that plated Donnie Necas. 

IU South Bend went on to win game two 5-0 and sweep the doubleheader over Trinity Christian without allowing a single run to cross the plate.

The Indiana University South Bend Titans return to action on Tuesday, April 11th, when they travel to Joliet, Ill., to sqaure off with Saint Francis University.