The Tiffin University baseball team got in the win column in game one of their twin bill with Ohio Dominican, defeating the Panthers 5-2. In the nightcap the Dragons trailed early, but rallied to tie the score before allowing the go ahead run to cross the plate late in the game in a 4-3 loss.
Game One
Tiffin's offense got on the board from the get go in game one, plating a pair of runs in the top half of the 1st inning. The frame opened with singles from Brayden Callihan and Alec McCurry to put runners on the corners with no outs. Kyle Lento walked to load the bases, and the first run of the year crossed, but it cost Tiffin two outs with the Panthers completing the twin killing. With two outs and a man at third, Kyle Vance laced a single to left field to make it 2-0 Tiffin.
Tiffin starter Brady Ward weaved his way in and out of scoreless innings, but the Panthers eventually dented the scoreboard with a run in the 4th and then tying the score in the 5th.
The tie score was short-lived as Tiffin went back on the offensive. With one out Callihan reached on a walk and Alec McCurry was hit by a pitch. Kyle Lento then lofted a ball into left field that was misplayed by the Panthers, enabling Callihan to score. Jack Dennis then picked up a run batted in with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2 Tiffin.
An inning later Tiffin flexed its muscle, as Nich Green smacked a solo home run to left field to give Tiffin a 5-2 lead.
The Dragons' bullpen slammed the door shut over the course of the final two innings. Hunter Carson logged an inning, striking out the side. Michael Boswell was the final pitcher to trot to the hill for Tiffin, earning his first save. Brady Ward earned the win for Tiffin, hurling five innings while allowing three hits, two runs, none earned, and striking out five.
Offensively, the combination of Callihan and McCurry finished 2 for 4 with four runs scored. Nich Green finished 1 for 2 with his first collegiate home run and first run batted in.
Game Two
The Panthers returned the favor in game two, scoring two runs on two hits and a Tiffin error to lead 2-0 after an inning of play.
Neither side did much on the offensive end over the next three innings as the starting pitchers for both sides held the offenses scoreless. Tiffin pulled a run closer in the 5th, using a John Heckman single to left field to make it a 2-1 game.
Ohio Dominican quickly pushed their lead back to two, crossing the plate in the bottom half of the 5th to make it 3-1. Tiffin's offense gave it their best in the 6th, pulling to within a run when Brayden Callihan scored on a wild pitch, and then tying the game with Ryan Davis' bases loaded walk.
The Tiffin bullpen was unable to keep the game tied, surrendering a run on two hits in the bottom of the 6th, which proved to be the difference.
Michael Ross took the loss on the mound in relief, tossing an innings while allowing one run and two hits. At the plate, John Heckman was the lone Dragon with multiple hits, finishing 2 for 3 with a run batted in.
The split moves Tiffin to 1-2 overall.