MASON, Ohio – The Trevecca Nazarene University baseball team (32-21) finished it's final Great Midwest Athletic Conference game by claiming its league record fifth tournament championship title with a 14-9 win over Tiffin University (26-27) at Prasco Park on Saturday afternoon.
SERIES HISTORY/NOTES
These two schools have met three times in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament. For the second time, the Trojans have stolen the conference title from the Dragons, most recently taking down Tiffin 7-6 in the 2021 tournament.
Overall, Trevecca holds a 9-6 advantage over Tiffin in all competitions.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A lead-off double by the Dragons set the stage for a two-run inning for the tournament's #7 seed. Two outs later, the cleanup batter for Tiffin sent a ball over the right field wall for a 2-0 lead. The Trojans managed to match the lead-off double but had nothing else to show for it in the first. Trojan starter Jack Keele settled in for the second inning, retiring the Dragons in order before the Trojans answered back with two in the second. The first two batters reached for Trevecca, and back-to-back-to-back RBI singles pushed the Trojans ahead, 3-2. After a fielder's choice, the Trojans put their fourth run past home with yet another single to left center field. Tiffin led the third off with a solo home run but that was the only damage done as the Trojans took a 4-3 lead into the fifth after scoreless frames in the third and fourth.
With two outs in the fifth, the Trojans added to their lead. David Milam doubled in a run before Abbott Lawrence went yard for two more runs and a four-run lead, 7-3. Tiffin led the sixth off with a double; consecutive groundouts gave the Dragons another run before the Trojans got out of the inning. Andru Becker hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth to get a run back, Trevecca's eighth of the day.
A double and a single were the first two hits of the seventh for Trevecca who plated a run to take a 9-4 lead. After a groundout moved Cole McCallum into scoring position, Abbott Lawrence singled through the left side for his third RBI of the game. Two more singles brought in Lawrence and another insurance run for the Trojans. The first three Dragons reached base in the eighth and Tiffin plated two off a throwing error before a balk scored another to make it an 11-7 game. Braden Reece came on to pitch and induced a groundout which scored another run to bring the Dragons within three before Reece got the Trojans out of the inning.
Joey Parliment left no doubt for the Trojan title hopes in the bottom of the eighth with a lead-off home run. With one out, Cole McCallum went yard to get another run back for Trevecca. Abbott Lawrence joined the home run party as well with a solo shot to for a 14-8 lead. A two-out RBI was all the Dragons managed in the ninth as the Trojans held on for the 14-9 championship win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
* Abbott Lawrence was 4-5 with four runs scored and four RBIs including two home runs.
* Haven Mangrum went 3-5 with an RBI double and two runs scored.
* Andru Becker was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
* Jack Keele (6-3) started picked up the win by tossing seven innings and striking out eight with just four runs earned.
NEXT ON THE DIAMOND
Trevecca waits to learn its fate for the 2024 NCAA Div. II baseball championship with tomorrow night's selection show.
The NCAA selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com at 9:30 p.m. with Midwest Regional competition set to begin on May 16.
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