Dragons fall in extra innings in GMAC opener 4-3

Michael Boswell fanned 16 batters over 8 innings.
Michael Boswell fanned 16 batters over 8 innings.

An eighth-inning home run spoiled Tiffin University's two-run lead, sending the game to extra innings where Walsh ultimately won 4-3 in 10 innings in game one of the GMAC Tournament.

The home run was the lone blemish on a phenomenal performance by Michael Boswell, who went 8 innings and fanned 16 batters while allowing only 5 hits and 2 earned runs.

Tiffin battled back from a 1-0 deficit in the second inning. Jake Shier reached on a bunt single and was followed by Cal Brazier's single. After getting sacrificed to second and third, Thomas Auth lofted a sacrifice fly to tie the score 1-1.

In the third with two out, Stevens singled, Tim Orr walked, and Shier followed with an RBI single to give TU the lead 2-1.

In the fifth, again with two outs, Stevens singled and came home on Orr's double.

The lead held until the eighth inning when Walsh's two-run shot with one out deadlocked the game at 3-3. TU placed a runner on second with nobody out in the bottom of the inning but a double play ended the threat and sent the game to the ninth inning.

In the ninth, TU loaded the bases with just one out. Pinch runner Danny Donnelly attempted to score from third on a wild pitch but was thrown out, and an ensuing strikeout killed a golden opportunity for the Dragons as the game went into extra innings.

In the 10th, a throwing error from third base with a runner on third allowed an unearned run to score and put TU down 4-3. TU again put a runner in scoring position with just one out in the bottom of the 10th, but a groundout to the pitcher and a strikeout ended the game for the Dragons.

Mat Carden took the tough loss, tossing the final two innings while allowing no earned runs.

TU overall had 13 hits to Walsh's 6, with Griffin Stevens and Brazier getting three hits each. Shier and Orr had two hits, with Orr and Marino Pugnetti getting doubles.

The Dragons will now take on Cedarville at 12 pm May 12 at Prasco Field in the consolation round.