CHICAGO, Ill. -- Ryan Helmeid put up a strong pitching performance, allowing just two earned runs over six innings, but Trinity International struggled offensively in both games of a doubleheader at St. Xavier, falling to the Cougars 2-1 in game one, then dropping a 12-2 decision in game two.

Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

Helmeid kept the Cougars off the scoreboard for the first four innings, scattering just three hits to that point. Trinity scored the first run of the day in the top of the 5th, when a pair of singles from Jon Grotelueschen and Cameron Stanley led to a sacrifice fly from Jon Debowey to put TIU in front 1-0. St. Xavier responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame, with a two-out, RBI single to tie the game.

A solo homerun from SXU's Bryan Polak to lead off the bottom of the 6th proved to be the difference in the pitcher's duel, after the Trojans left two runners on base in the top of the inning, and were retired in order in the 7th.

Season Stats | CCAC Standings

Jon Grotelueschen picked up a pair of hits in the first game, finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored. Helmeid pitched all six innings, allowing six hits and walking just one while striking out two.

In game two, the Cougars jumped out to a four-run lead after scoring once in the bottom of the 2nd, then three more times in the 3rd inning. The Trojans picked up two runs in the top of the 4th, when A.J. Bruner scored on a groundout from Jon Debowey, then Stanley crossed the plate on a passed ball.

SXU would pull away for good from that point onward, scoring eight unanswered runs to claim a 7-inning win by the 10-run rule.

Stanley went 2-for-3 in the second game, with a run scored, producing half of the total offense for the Trojans, who as a team finished with four hits in the game. Ben Hylander and Jeremiah Carter came out of the bullpen to pitch one inning apiece, each allowing a hit while not giving up a run.

Trinity International returns home to make up the rained-out doubleheader from last week against St. Francis, on Monday, April 13. First pitch against the Fighting Saints is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from the TIU Baseball Field.