The Tiffin University baseball team used excellent starting pitching in game one to drop Northwood 4-0. In game two, the bullpen ran into troubles late, allowing the Timberwolves to come from behind to win the final game of the series 5-3.
Game One
Michael Boswell was dominant for Tiffin, going head to head against the GLIAC's most formidable lineup.
The Timberwolves had no issues putting runners on, it was moving them around the bases that was the issue. Boswell stranded five runners through the first three innings of his outing.
Tiffin's offense got down to business in the 3rd, handing Boswell a 1-0 lead. Kyle Lento started the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third by Mitch Anderson. Isaac Perry sliced a run scoring double down the right field line to give the Dragons the lead. In the 4th, an error and passed ball allowed Kyle Durham to move to second base. Alec McCurry walked, and Kyle Lento moved both Durham and McCurry into scoring position. Kurt Barbeau singled to drive home Durham and McCurry, and Isaac Perry added another run batted in to his stat line, singling home Barbeau.
With a 4-0 lead in hand, Boswell kept his foot on the gas, tossing six innings, allowing nine hits, no runs, and struck out six on his way to a 4-0 win.
At the plate, Isaac Perry was 2 for 3 with two runs batted in. Kurt Barbeau had a hit, and drove in two runs.
Game Two
The excellent starting pitching continued for the Dragons in game two, sending Marc Deitsch to the mound for the final game.
Deitsch had a no hitter working through four innings of work before surrendering a double in the 5th. His offense staked him to an early lead, scoring a pair of runs in the 4th inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Fernando Nieto sliced a flare down the right field line to put Tiffin up 2-0.
After Deitsch departed with 5 2/3 innings under his belt and a shutout still intact, the bullpen ran into troubles. In the 7th inning, Northwood scored five runs on five hits to take a 5-2 lead.
Tiffin got a run back in the 8th inning, taking advantage of a Northwood error to make it a 5-3 deficit. In the 9th, the Timberwolves slammed the door shut to preserve a 5-3 win.
Deitsch pitched well, tossing 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, and striking out two. At the plate, Kurt Barbeau finished 3 for 5 with three singles.
Tiffin is now 11-11 overall and 5-3 in GLIAC play.