KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bouncing back from an early deficit to tie the game in the 7th, Trinity came up just short in their NCCAA World Series debut on Friday afternoon, falling to Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) 9-6 at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.

After falling behind 6-0 after two and a half innings, the Trolls (25-27), rallied with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd. After base hits from Oliver Carmody and Jordan Veldman loaded the bases, Michael Moralez put the Trolls on the board with an RBI groundout. Preston Moore and Hunter Slaats then followed up with run-scoring singles to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Eagles (34-21) were held scoreless through the middle innings, allowing Trinity to even the score with a three-run 7th. The Trolls again loaded the bases, allowing Ryan Grand to drive home Moralez, Gunnar Bettenhausen to bring in Moore on a sacrifice bunt, and Slaats to score on a wild pitch to tie the game at 6-6.

Fort Lauderdale would reclaim the lead however, with three runs on four hits and an error in the top of the 9th. The Trolls would load the bases in the bottom half of the inning, but after recording two early outs, were unable to push across a run in their final at-bat.

Slaats led the way at the plate for Trinity, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Veldman and Moore were both 2-for-5, while Carmody finished 2-for-4 on the day.

The Trolls now prepare for an elimination game on Saturday, as they take on Toccoa Falls (Ga.) beginning at noon.