Trojans fall in doubleheader at St. Francis
Strong outings from the Trinity International pitching staff keep things close, but TIU falls to the Fighting Saints, 3-1 in game one, and 5-2 in game two
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Box Score 2 JOLIET, Ill. – The Trinity International Trojans kicked off conference play with a pair of tough losses Saturday afternoon, falling to the St. Francis Fighting Saints 3-1 in game one, and 5-2 in game two.
Junior center fielder Cameron Stanley (JR/La Mirada, Calif.) had the strongest day at the plate for the Trojans (3-11, 0-2 CCAC), going a combined 3-for-7 while driving in an RBI in both games. TIU was held to just two hits in the first contest, but the offense got into a rhythm by the second, collecting seven.
In the opener, sophomore Dakota Pisarek (SO/Chicago, Ill.) pitched six strong innings, allowing just three runs on six hits. St. Francis (11-12, 2-0 CCAC) struck first with a pair of runs in the second inning, when the Saints combined for four singles in the frame.
The Saints tacked on another run in the third, after a leadoff single; the runner then advanced to second with a stolen base and to third on a wild pitch, later scoring on a sacrifice fly.
The Trojans got on the board in the sixth, when Tony Guidone (JR/Chicago, Ill.) earned the free pass, then swiped his team-leading eighth bag of the season. After a sacrifice bunt from Jeff Lindberg (FR/Wauconda, Ill.), Guidone scored on Stanley's infield single. TIU were unable to complete the comeback, however, going down in order in the seventh to close out the game.
A.J. Bruner (SO/Evansville, Ind.) took the mound for game two, where he also pitched six solid innings while giving up three runs. St. Francis managed a single score in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to slowly build a 3-0 advantage in the nine-inning affair.
After USF tacked on another run in the seventh to make it a 4-0 game, TIU rallied for a pair of runs to cut the deficit in half. Jon Debowey (SO/Riverton, Ill.), pinch hitting for reliever Ben Hylander (SO/Sheboygan, Wisc.), led the inning off with an infield single. Jeff Lindberg then advanced the runner with his one-out single, and Debowey went on to score on Stanley's RBI single to right field. Lindberg then scored when Rafael Mendez (SR/Santo Domingo, D.R.) reached base on an error to keep the inning alive.
The Saints would get one back in the bottom of the eighth, after a leadoff double led to a sacrifice fly two plays later. TIU would be retired in order to finish out the ninth inning and end the game.
Dakota Pisarek (2-1) and Bruner (0-3) would take the losses on the day. For Pisarek, the decision ends a four-game win streak, dating back to last season's meeting with St. Francis.
Trinity International will be back in action next week, when they host Cardinal Stritch in the Trojans' home opener. First pitch against the Wolves is set for Friday, March 28, at 1 p.m.
