LIVONIA, Mich. - The Indiana University South Bend Baseball team (11-19, 7-7 CCAC) dropped both games of a midweek non-conference doubleheader against Madonna University (MI) (15-13, 5-3 Conf.) losing game 5-4 on a walk off single and dropping game two 12-6.
Game 1 (L 5-4)
The Titans hit the road for some midweek action with Madonna University, looking to keep pace from winning their previous two games against Saint Xavier University. Madonna came on strong scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. IUSB responded with a run of their own on a
Clint Goodman RBI sacrifice fly to bring the Titans within one. In the bottom of the third inning Madonna tacked on two more runs thanks to some defensive miscues by the Titans, bringing Madonna in front 4-1. The Titans didn't go away though tying the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh inning after a
Joe Jefferson RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, an
Evan Fortson double in the sixth inning, and a
Kaleb Farnham RBI double in the seventh inning. Madonna managed to get the leadoff hitter on base, and another defensive miscue on a pickoff allowed the runner to reach third base. The next two batters got on by a walk and a hit by pitch making the bases loaded in the last inning with nobody out. Madonna found a weak single to score the game winning run, handing the Titans a game one 5-4 loss.
Josiah Nelson was 3-4 at the plate with a double and scored two runs, while
Joe Jefferson,
Clint Goodman,
Kaleb Farnham, and
Evan Fortson all each provided an RBI.
Riley Thomas got the nod on the mound for the Titan pitching staff providing a solid outing going 6.0 innings giving up five runs, two earned, on nine hits and four strikeouts. Thomas faced on batter in the seventh which came around to be the game winning run, so he was the losing pitcher of record.
Jack Kienzle was unable to record an out in his relief appearance for the Titans.
Game 2 (L 6-12)
Madonna once again got out to an early thanks to some more defensive miscues from the Titans scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Titans were held hitless through the first four innings of play, while Madonna added on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-0 lead. Both teams would go on to score three runs a piece in the fifth and sixth innings making the score 12-6 in favor of Madonna. The Titans were unable to get anything going offensively in the seventh inning leading to a Madonna 12-6 win sending the Titans home with two losses on the day.
Kaleb Farnham led the offense going 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI's.
Josh McCormick took the bad luck loss throwing 2.0 innings at the start of the game, giving up three runs, one earned, on two hits and no strikeouts.
The Titan Baseball team will have some time off as they have a bye week from conference play and will return to action when they host St. Ambrose University (IA) (11-14, 8-6 CCAC) at Rex Weade Stadium for a four game CCAC series on Friday and Saturday April 4th and 5th.
