KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --- The Trojans were back on the road again last weekend, this time to Knoxville Tennessee as they faced the Royals of Johnson University. The two teams competed in back to back doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday afternoon.
 
Game One:
Trinity started the opening game struggling to find their footing in the field as Johnson went up 5-0 after five hits in the first inning. Jose Matos got the Trojans on the board during the fourth inning after he singled to left field to get on base. Samuel Edington followed with a single and the next two Trojans were walked, sending Matos to home plate.

The Trojans began to connect offensively and steadily closed the gap with runs brought in during each of the final four innings of the game. Trinity entered the top of the seventh behind 3-7 and with two outs and bases loaded Alfonso Gomez hit a single to center field and brought Luis Henriquez and Blake Bruce home. Unfortunately, the Trojans received their third out and the game ended 5-7 for a Trojans loss.
 
Game Two:
The Trojans allowed the Royals a single hit in the first two innings before they opened up scoring in the top of the third. Jose Matos ran home first for the Trojans after hitting another single to get on base. Trinity followed with two more runs in the third and added two more in the top of the fifth, bringing their lead to 5-0.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Royals rallied after back to back singles and an error in the infield. Johnson earned six hits and at the end of the inning took the lead, 6-5 over the Trojans. They would go on to score one more in the seventh inning, clinching the doubleheader victory.
 
Game Three:
Keeping the momentum from the previous day, Johnson University started the first inning with two runs before the Trojans answered quickly in the second with two of their own. Blake Lazaris hit an RBI fly to left field, bringing Luis Henriquez back to the dugout and shortly after, Brady Popovich crossed the plate following a single to right field by Jose Matos.

Trinity scored again in the top of the sixth, taking the lead by a single run after a single by Jose Matos brought Blake Lazaris back home. The Trojans increased their lead in the seventh inning after four hits and two errors, securing the lead 8-3. The Royals had one more chance at the plate and capitalized on two Trojan errors and four hits to tie the game and force another inning.

Unfortunately, it was three-up, three-down for the Trojans in the eight inning and the Royals were able to earn a final run to hand the Trojans defeat, 8-9.
 
Game Four:
The first inning of the final game saw a lot of action from both teams at the plate. Trinity opened with a single by Blake Lazaris before a double immediately after by Jose Matos. Ethan Oskroba took the plate next, hitting an RBI to center field and bringing Lazaris home. Seth Lewallen stepped up to the plate next and hit a single to center field, advancing Oskroba to second and Matos across the plate. Oskroba would be brought home after two advances by passed balls and a ground ball to shortstop.
 
At the top of the fourth inning, the Trojans were behind 4-5 but let loose again on offense with three hits and another three runs. End of the fourth, Trinity held the lead 7-5. After two errors and a couple of walks, the Royals tied the game then took the lead. The Trojans tried to rally but couldn't connect at the plate and ended the game with another loss, 7-11.
 

Up Next;
The Trojans (1-7) will return to action early next month as they travel to Pippas Passes, Kentucky for a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, March 4th and 5th against the Eagles of Alice Lloyd College. Game one of both doubleheaders are scheduled for a 1:00pm EST start.

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

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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.