Tiffin University (2-6) had a tough day on the second day of their spring trip, falling to Concordia-St. Paul 17-9 and then Gannon 7-1 in the nightcap.
Against CSP, the Dragons fell down big early but nearly staged a comeback before CSP pulled away.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning, the Dragons tied it up after Brooklynn Esser walked, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout to second base. An error at second base allowed the run to score as they headed to the second inning tied 1-1.
Things went downhill quickly from there, as CSP picked up two in the second and 8 more in the third to lead 11-1 entering the bottom of the third. TU got a run back when Esser walked and moved up to third on two wild pitches. She crossed the plate on a groundout to second base.
TU exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the 4th while trailing 12-2. Caitlin Wilson walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Kaylee Savage and Chloe Swaisgood followed with walks to load the bases. After a passed ball let a run in, Gabrielle Hess then walked to re-load the bases. Esser, Heidi Marshall, and Brooke Lambert all followed with RBI singles. TU kept the train rolling as another passed ball pushed another run across. Wilson then stroked another RBI single, while yet another passed ball gave TU its seventh run of the inning and brought the score to 12-9 heading to the fifth inning.
St. Paul quickly bounced back, pushing its lead back to 8 runs with 5 runs in the top of the fifth. With Tiffin needing to get at least a run on the board to avoid the mercy rule, the Dragons started a two-out rally. Hess singled and Esser reached on an error at second base to put two runners on, but a groundout to shortstop ended the game for TU.
Sarah Klein took the loss, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing 12 earned runs including 4 home runs. Hallie Sheehan finished the game over 1.2 innings, allowing 4 earned runs.
Esser led the team with 2 hits, while Marshall and Lambert had 2 RBI each.
In the nightcap, TU mustered just four singles while 3 errors led to 3 unearned runs.
Trailing 5-0 entering the fifth inning, TU got its lone run when Taylor Diggins was hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a grounder to third. Caitlin Wilson then singled her home to make the score 5-1.
Tiffin put its last threat together in the sixth inning when they put two runners on with just one out. A strikeout and fielder's choice ended the chance for TU.
Victoria Edwards took the loss, allowing 3 earned runs over 4 innings on 4 hits. Shelbey Spurlock finished the game with 2 innings of work, allowing just 2 hits and no runs.