MILLINGTON, Tenn. — The Trojans hopped in the vans again this week for another series on the road as they faced a pair of non-conference foes. After weather forced a change in location, Trinity met both the Pioneers of Crowley's Ridge and the Patriots of Baptist Bible at USA Stadium as part of the Flag City Classic.

Game One: TIU 3, Crowley's Ridge 0
The Trojans played solid defense throughout the first game of the series, led by sophomore Max Amendt earning his second start and first win of the season. The hurler went six and a third innings, allowing zero runs and striking out six batters before Jose Matos stepped in as relief in the final inning.

Trinity scored their first run in the top of the third inning after an infield error put Julius Torres on base. Redshirt sophomore Ethan Oskroba took the plate and grounded out to first, but sent Torres home to give Trojans a 1-0 lead.

Outstanding pitching from Amendt and reliable defense from the field held Crowley's Ridge in check at the plate as the Pioneers struggled to garner consistent offense.

In the sixth inning as the Trojans stared at a bases loaded situation, Coach Gardner called on freshman Riley Murphy to pinch hit. Answering the call, Murphy hit a line drive to center field to collect his first collegiate RBIs and put Trinity ahead 3-0.

Staying the course, the Trojan defense held firm their last two opportunities to shut out the Pioneers and strike their first tally in the win column for the 2023 campaign.


Game Two: TIU 2, Baptist Bible 15
Trinity got off to a rough start in their second game of the afternoon and struggled to make a comeback.

Four different hurlers took the mound for the Trojans with Brady Popovich earning his second start of the season. Redshirt senior Dillon Lloyd along with freshmen Elisa Marquez and Caden Monen took their first pitches of the young campaign following Popovich.

Trinity grabbed back two runs in the fourth inning, collecting two hits in the process. Redshirt sophomore Ethan Oskrona singled, then advanced to third on a double from Alfonso Gomez. With runners on first and third, the Patriots gave up an in-field error and the two Trojans crossed home plate.

Monen finished the game on the mound, throwing for three innings with 81 pitches.


Game Three: TIU 12, Baptist Bible 9
After splitting the first day, the Trojans took the field again for a quick rematch against the Patriots. Sophomore Seth Lewallen got the start for Trinity and went seven innings for the Trojans with four strikeouts. 

The first inning was scoreless for the Trojans, but not without fanfare as senior third baseman Blake Lazaris stepped to the plate. After returning for his fifth year, the veteran Trojan connected with the pitch for a routine single to smash the TIU all-time hits record as he collected his 179th career hit.

In the next inning, the Trojans got on the board first as freshman Riley Murphy led off with a single, followed by senior Julius Torres with the same. A wild pitch put both runners into scoring position for freshman Christian Soria-Navarro's first collegiate RBI. An infield-error and fielder's choice gave Torres opportunity to make the run home and give TIU a 2-0 lead. The Patriots responded swiftly, collecting a pair of hits and three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Gaining momentum, the Patriots forged ahead to a 2-7 lead at the bottom of the fourth inning. Soria-Navarro recorded his first double in the top of the fifth, followed by freshman Jonathan Kumai with a single that sent the former home. Stepping up to the plate, sophomore Alfonso Gomez reached first on a fielder's choice before advancing to second on a passed ball. Another in-field error sent Gomez home and grabbed an RBI for senior Blake Lazaris as he reached first base. At bat next, Oskroba collected his fifth hit of the season, doubling to send Lazaris home and cut the score to 5-6.

A solid defensive stand by the Trojans in the fifth and sixth innings held back the Patriots as Trinity continued to rally on the scoreboard, adding another run in the top of the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game and force extra innings.

In the eighth inning, veteran Lazaris recorded another hit and RBI as Soria-Navarro crossed the plate again. Oskroba was hit by the pitch to advance Lazaris and Gomez to scoring position. A bases loaded situation, Torres stepped to the plate then was sent walking to first. Popovich took his turn at bat and reached first on an error in left field, unloading the bases and giving the Trojans a five run lead. The Patriots tried to rally but came up short, falling to defeat.


Game Four: TIU 9, Crowley's Ridge 5
Riding the momentum from game one, the Trojans jumped ahead in the first inning and never looked back as leadoff hitter Jonathan Kumai opened with a double. Facing two outs, Oskroba stepped to the plate with a ground ball to center field, sending Kumai home.

Top of the third inning, the Trojans collected two more runs. Gomez walked to his base before Lazaris reached on an error that would also bring Gomez across the plate.

The Pioneers pitching efforts began to struggle in the fourth inning as they walked three Trojans, setting the scene for Gomez to take the plate. A ground ball to left field went far enough to bring home two runners and give Trinity a 5-0 lead.

Leading off the fifth inning, Torres smashed his fourth career triple. Senior Jimmy Cisneros grounded out to third, but made way for Torres to run home.

The Trojans added three more runs in the top of the sixth as Gomez took the plate again and sent his first career home run to the fence at center field with two runners on base. The Pioneers responded in the bottom of the sixth as they rallied for five runs and three hits.

Standing firm, the Trojan defense held the Pioneers to four at bats and sealed the weekend series victory.


"We came out and played really well in three of the four games," stated Coach Gardner. "Our defense was outstanding and our starting pitchers located really well. We were locked in and kept the energy level high. Really proud of our team!"


The Trojans(3-4) take the week off before resuming their non-conference schedule on the road again during spring break March 4-11^th, traveling first to Michigan then Tennessee and South Carolina.  

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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.