JOLIET, Ill. – A big first inning for the opposition proved to be the difference on Saturday, as Trinity were eliminated from CCAC Tournament competition following a 9-6 loss to Saint Xavier, in the lower bracket semifinal at Duly Field.

The Trolls (23-26) surrendered six runs in a first-inning rally, before bouncing back with runs in the 2nd and 3rd. A leadoff double from Hunter Slaats in the top of the 2nd allowed Angel Toscana to drive in an RBI. The Trolls would then hit four straight singles to open the 3rd inning, as two runs scored to make it a 6-3 score.

The Cougars (27-25) rallied to get those three runs back in the bottom of the 4th, before Trinity responded again in the top of the 7th. The Trolls would score three runs on five hits, with run-scoring singles from Preston Moore, Michael Moralez, and Anthony Cappelletti.

Josh Bakke and Gunnar Bettenhausen kept the Cougars from adding to their lead, throwing a combined four shutout innings to close out the game. At the plate, Slaats led the way, finishing 3-for-5 with a double, RBI, and run scored. Moralez drove in two runs and scored two more, going 2-for-5 on the day.

The Trolls will now set their sights on the NCCAA North Central Regional, set to take place at a time to be announced later next week.