DEERFIELD, Ill. – A walk-off win followed by a game ending in a tie summarizes a wild doubleheader Monday afternoon, as Trinity International defeated Trinity Christian 5-4 with a 7th-inning rally before drawing even with the Trolls in game two, by a 21-21 score in 10 innings.

Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Season Stats

Senior pitcher A.J. Bruner earned his seventh win of the year in the former, pitching a 7-inning complete game for the 7th time this season. The Trojans (15-15-1, 5-8-1 CCAC) scored a run in each of the first three innings, including Edward Piotrowski's first career home run, a solo shot in the 2nd, to give TIU the 3-2 advantage.

The Trolls (27-12-1, 11-4-1 CCAC) rallied with two runs on three hits, all with two outs in the top of the 4th, to take a 4-3 lead. Trinity International were unable to put a man on base for the next three frames, until rallying in the 7th for the win.

A leadoff walk from Justin VanderNaald followed shortly by an infield single from Jon Grotelueschen and a four-pitch walk for Jeff Lindberg loaded the bases with one away. Adam Gomski's comebacker up the middle tied the game at 4-4, then on the first pitch of his at-bat, Jon Debowey sliced a single through the left side of the infield, driving Grotelueschen in for the winning run.

The combined nine runs and 15 hits in the opener looked like a pitcher's duel compared to the nightcap, where the Trojans and Trolls collected 42 total runs on 42 hits, and were assisted by 10 combined errors. Trinity International jumped out to a 7-2 lead through three innings, scoring six runs on only two hits in the bottom of the 3rd. Michael Balistreri and Justin VanderNaald each drove in two runs as the Trojans batted around thanks in part to four walks and a hit batter throughout the inning.

Trinity Christian pulled to within one run, scoring once in the 4th and three more times in the 5th, to make it a 7-6 score. The Trolls then put together a 10-run rally in the top of the 6th, slapping seven hits, all singles to move ahead 16-7 in the middle of the 6th. Debowey then hit a two-run home run to left, his 4th of the season, to close the gap 16-9 with three innings to play.

The Trojans then put together their biggest inning of the season, beginning with Adam Vignola's leadoff home run, and ending with a 12-run rally that saw 10 base hits and 16 Trojans step up to the plate. Balistreri tied the game at 16-16 with a two-RBI single to right, and three batters later, pinch hitter Joel Stephenson cranked a double down the left field line, scoring three runs to put TIU ahead 19-16. A sacrifice fly from Josh Crist and an RBI double from Gomski finished out the scoring, as the Trojans turned a seven-run deficit into a 21-16 lead through seven innings.

Trinity Christian weren't finished however, scoring three runs in the 8th and two in the 9th, including the game-tying run with TIU just one out away from securing the win. Both teams were surprisingly quiet at the plate once the game reached extra innings, where the game was suspended with two outs and one on in the bottom of the 10th.

Balistreri finished the day with a team-high four base hits, going 4-for-10 on the day with five RBI over both games. In all 13 Trojans recorded at least one hit in either game. Lindberg also extends his streak to 29 consecutive games in which the shortstop has reached base.

Trinity continue their busy week tomorrow afternoon, when they pay a visit to the St. Francis Saints for an afternoon doubleheader. First pitch from Silver Cross Field in Joliet is set for 1:00 p.m.