HOOVER, Ala. --- Eleven months after their previous season was cancelled due to COVID-19, the TIU baseball team returned to the ballpark to begin their 2021 season on Friday and Saturday at the Score International Christian Invitational in Alabama. The Trojans were scheduled to play two doubleheaders, one against the Bethel University Pilots on Friday, and one against the Asbury Eagles.

In their opening game against the Pilots, Kurtis Sippy got the start on the mound to begin the season. The Pilots quickly jumped on the Trojan ace with nine runs in the first five innings, walking ten batters. Trinity was able to crack the scoreboard in the top of the sixth with Julius Torres scoring on a Blake Lazaris single to third base, as well as a Jalen Austin single to left field to score Matt Pierson, and a bunt single by Samuel Hardy to score Lazaris. Bethel would take game one of the doubleheader by a 11-5 score in seven innings.

In game two, Sam Willis took the mound to help the Trojans split the opening day. TIU would respond with an 11 run performance off nine hits, while also capitalizing off of six Bethel errors. Junior catcher Andrew Johnson knocked in three runs and drew three walks, while Jose Matos put three balls into play in six plate appearances. The Trojans would also notch five extra base hits in the game, including two doubles by Matos. Despite a late Pilots push in the eighth and ninth, Ian Ryan nailed down his first save of the season, helping Trinity earn its first victory of the year.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• TIU's win in game two of the doubleheader was the first win ever against Bethel. The Pilots still lead the all-time series 9-1.

• The Trojans loss in game one marked the fifth consecutive loss in a season-opening game.

• Brendan Lacey recorded four putouts for TIU at catcher in game one. Jose Matos (right field) and Jalen Austin (first base) both notched seven putouts in game two.

• Ian Ryan's game two save is the first of his career.

• Sam Willis picked up the second win of his career in game two. Willis entered the game with a 1-12 record as a starter.

In what would be their final game of the tournament, the Trojans faced a tough challenge against a powerhouse Asbury program. The Eagles offense would dominate every aspect of the game, capped by a nine-run second inning. Trinity starter Jio Ledesma gave up four walks in one and two-thirds innings of work before handing off the ball to the bullpen. Asbury's Kaiden Zacharias would bat in four runs off two triples as the Eagles notched four extra base hits. TIU would end their season-opening road trip with an 18-0 loss as their second game of the doubleheader was cancelled due to weather.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Saturday's game vs. Asbury was the first ever meeting between the Trojans and Eagles.

• The 18 runs scored by Asbury are the most allowed by the Trojans since giving up 27 runs to Olivet Nazarene on April 20, 2019 in conference play.

• Brendan Lacey and Matt Pierson recorded TIU's only two hits of the game, both singles.

• Pierson led TIU with six putouts in the loss.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-2) will return to action next weekend as they travel to Williamsburg, Kentucky for a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday, February 13 and 14 against the University of the Cumberlands. Game one of both doubleheaders are scheduled for a 1:00pm EST first pitch and can be watched LIVE on Patriots All-Access.

Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU baseball news and schedule updates.

Follow the Trojans online and on social media!

   Facebook - Trinity International Athletics

   Twitter - @TIUBaseball   @TIUTrojans

   Instagram - TIU Athletics    @tiubaseball

   Snapchat - @TIUtrojans

   YouTube - TIU Athletics

Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.