The Titans battled back from a 7-1 deficit in a seven inning game, but were unable to win it in extras vs Chemeketa, 10-8.
How it happened: After a groundout to begin the game, Chemeketa got a single, RBI-double and a two-run homerun.
The Titans got a leadoff double from Takanori Shimizu and after a sacrifice bunt from Nathan Sprenger, Hayden Curtis drove in Shimizu with an RBI-double. Hayden Curtis would be stranded at second after the next two batters struckout.
After a quick 2nd inning for Donovan Baldocchi, Chemeketa started the 3rd with three singles and scored a run. A fourth straight single loaded the bases with no outs, after a pair of sacrifice flies that made it 6-1, Donovan Baldocchi got a fly out to right to end the top-of-the 3rd.
The bottom half started well with Matthew Aguilar getting hit by a pitch and Takanori Shimizu singling, but two fly outs and a ground out and the 3rd was over.
Chemeketa continued to add to their lead in the 4th, this time with Jesse Carr on the mound. An error, ground out, pass ball allowed a single to score an unearned run. Jesse Carr got a fielder's choice ground out and a pop up to first to end the threat down 7-1.
With a new pitcher on the mound, the Titans got singles from Jaxon Woodhouse and Skyler Vail in front of Logan Zozaya. And Zozaya got the big hit with a three-run home run to left field to cut the deficit to 7-4. A walk to Curran Mitzel, sacrifice bunt from Matthew Aguilar and single from Takanori Shimizu brought up Nathan Sprenger. Sprenger doubled in Curran Mitzel. Again with two runners on and one out the Titans were unable to add and went to the 5th down 7-5.
A quick 5th inning from Austin Skelhorn and 6th from Trenton Hough gave the Titans a chance down two. Curran Mitzel started the bottom-of-the 6th with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Henry Lovekamp pinch hit for Matthew Aguilar and was hit by the pitch to put the tying runners on with no outs. Takanori Shimizu hit an RBI-double that scored Curran Mitzel and moved Henry Lovekamp to third and reduce the deficit to one, 7-6. A flyout and pitching change later and Hayden Curtis hit a RBI-double that only scored Lovekamp because it was almost caught and Takanori Shimizu had to hold at second, but the game was tied at 7.
After a scoreless 7th inning, the Titans had Takanori Shimizu at second base after a single and stolen base. Nathan Sprenger lined a ball down the first base line that was caught and would have won the game for the Titans.
After just missing a chance to win it, the Titans struggled on the mound in the 9th. A single, wild pitch and groundout had the lead run at third with one out. A RBI-single and wild pitch and the Storm had another runner in scoring position and an 8-7 lead. An intentional walk and walk loaded the bases with one out. A third straight walk made it 9-7. Then a hit batter made it 10-7. In the inning there were two hits, two wild pitches, three walks and a hit batter for three runs.
Trying to rally again the Titans got a 3-2 pitch home run from Hayden Curtis to lead off the inning just like Curran Mitzel did against Linn-Benton. This was Hayden Curtis' first career home run. Unfortunately the next three batters went the same as the LBCC game, one-two-three and the Titans lost 10-8 in nine innings.
What/who stood out: Eight runs scored is the most since their 12-0 win vs Clackamas…13 hits is the seventh double-digit hit game and first since the 12-0 win…six extra-base hits is tied for the second most behind eight in the 12-0 win…two homeruns is the second time with the other being also vs Chemeketa…two hit by pitches is the first game with HBP since their 5-4 win at Chemeketa…five walks allowed is the most in eight games… 10 hits allowed is the most in 14 games…two errors is the eighth straight multi-error game…0 stolen bases allowed is the fourth straight.
Takanori Shimizu followed up a 2-of-2 game with a 5-of-5 game with two 2B's, an RBI, run scored and stolen base…Nathan Sprenger went 1-of-4 with a 2B, RBI and sacrifice bunt…Hayden Curtis went 2-of-5 with a 2B, HR, three RBI's… Jaxon Woodhouse went 1-of-3 with a run scored…Skyler Vail went 2-of-5 with a run scored…Logan Zozaya hit his second homerun and was 1-of-4 with three RBI's and a run scored… Curran Mitzel went 1-of-3 with two runs scored and a walk…Donovan Baldocchi got the start and threw three innings with seven hits, six runs (five earned), one walk and two strikeouts…Jesse Carr threw one inning with one hit and one run (not earned)… Austin Skelhorn threw an inning with two HBP's…Trenton Hough threw a perfect inning…Trestyn Dumilieu threw an inning with one walk and one strike out…Mitchell Bell threw one inning with two strikeouts…Michael Moore threw .2 of an inning with two hits, three runs, three walks and one strike out…Trey Werner threw .1 of an inning with a HBP.
What it means: The Titans are in 3rd place at 7-5 and 13-13 overall. The Titans are one game back of Mt. Hood in 2nd place, but Mt. Hood has only played six games; they are four games back of 1st place LBCC.
What's next: The Titans host Linfield JV for one game at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, weather permitting.