DEERFIELD, Ill. -- In the first countable regulars season games for the upcoming 2016 season, Trinity International put away a pair of seven-inning victories over the visiting Lincoln Christian (Ill.) Red Lions, winning game one 7-1, and taking the second matchup by a 6-2 margin.

Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

Senior pitcher A.J. Bruner earned the complete-game victory in game one, striking out seven while allowing just five hits and one run. In game two, senior Drake Maltry threw went six innings, allowing a pair of runs in his first win of the season.

The Trojans (2-0) struck early in the opener, as Jon Debowey's double to center allowed freshman Michael Balistreri to score after his one-out single. Scott Krawiec then drove Debowey home in the next at-bat to give TIU a two-run advantage.

The Red Lions (0-2) answered with a run in the top of the 3rd, but Trinity scored twice in the 4th to extend their lead. Krawiec drove in his second RBI with a sac fly, bringing home Justin VanderNaald. Jon Grotelueshen's two-out single then scored Balistreri to make it a 4-1 score. Trinity put the game away with a three-run 6th inning, highlighted by Jeff Lindberg's two-RBI single up the middle.

In game two, Lincoln Christian struck first, with a one-out double followed up by a base hit to give the Red Lions a 1-0 edge. Trinity responded with four runs on four hits in the bottom half of the frame, with Balistreri picking up a pair of RBI in the rally.

LCU put up another run in the top of the 2nd, but again the Trojans threatened in their next at-bat. With two runners on base and one out, the Lincoln Christian pitcher intentionally walked Adam Gomski, loading the bases to face Bruner. The Evansville, Ind. native cashed in, hitting a single up the middle and allowing Lindberg and VanderNaald to come home, as Trinity took a 6-2 lead. 

TIU pitchers allowed just three hits the rest of the way, as Jordan Alvernaz came in to pitch a perfect 7th inning, striking out two to seal the win.

Six Trojans finished with two or more RBI on the day, as Bruner collected a team-high three RBI. Debowey collected two of the team's three extra-base hits with a pair of doubles; Gomski also recorded a double on the day, going a combined 2-for-5 at the plate.

Trinity will continue the fall schedule with a rematch against the Red Lions on Oct. 3. First pitch for a doubleheader from Lincoln Christian is set for 1:00 p.m.