The Tiffin University baseball team started 2017 on the right foot, defeating the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers 6-4.
The Dragons pushed their first run of the season across in the 2nd inning. Devon Fisk led off with a single to right field, and motored to third after Ryan Davis reached on an error. Kyle Durham walked to load the bases, and Fisk scored on Brayden Callihan's fielders choice to make it 1-0. Tiffin added another run in the 3rd, using a Kurt Barbeau double, an Alec McCurry sacrifice bunt, and a Jay Smith single to take a 2-0 lead.
In the 4th, Kyle Durham doubled to left field, but was retired at the plate on Callihan's double. A Kentucky Wesleyan error allowed Callihan to move to third, and Mitch Anderson to reach base. With two aboard, Kurt Barbeau singled to plate both runners, making it 4-0 TU. Tiffin kept their string of runs coming in the 5th. After Isaac Perry's triple, Ryan Davis brought Perry home with a single to center field, putting Tiffin up 5-0.
The Panthers tacked on a pair of runs in the 6th with a two run home run, and added two more runs in the 7th, pulling to within a run at 5-4.
Tiffin, feeling the Panthers nipping at their heels, rattled the bats in the bottom of the 7th. Fisk took it upon himself to add insurance for Tiffin, doubling to start the inning, stealing 3rd, and scoring the sixth and final run for Tiffin on a passed ball.
The Dragons turned to their bullpen after the 5th inning, receiving four innings from the pen, including Kevin Borst nailing down the save with two innings of work.
Kyle Montell earned his first victory of 2017, his 6th career victory. Montell tossed five scoreless innings, allowing four hits, and striking out a pair. At the plate, Tiffin collected 13 hits as a team, led by Fisk's 3 for 5 performance. Callihan and Alec McCurry each collected a pair of hits, and Kurt Barbeau finished 2 for 4 with a pair of runs batted in.
Tiffin moves to 1-0 on the season, and will be back on the diamond tomorrow with a pair of games against Saint Joseph's College.
Current stats will be added when available.