JOLIET, Ill. – The Trolls would see another big day at the plate, finishing the four-game series against St. Francis with 62 total base hits, but late rallies from the home team would result in tough results in a doubleheader at St. Francis on Saturday afternoon.
St. Francis 12, Trinity 11
WP: Blazekovich • LP: Munoz (1-1)
HR: Kondo (1)
After the host Saints took a 1st-inning lead with a solo home run, the Trolls rallied in the top of the 2nd. Back-to-back singles from Omar Wright and Anthony Cappelletti would set the table for Preston Vowell's two-run double to give Trinity a 2-1 lead.
St. Francis would tie the game with another solo shot in the bottom of the 2nd, but the Trolls would lead off the 3rd inning with three straight singles as part of a two-run rally. The Saints answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame and three more in the 4th to take a 7-4 advantage.
The Trolls would post their largest single-inning output of the season in the 5th, scoring seven runs on eight hits and an error. Twelve batters would come up to the plate during the rally, highlighted by a three-run home run from Taiki Kondo, his first of the year as the Trolls took an 11-7 lead.
The home team responded yet again, tying the game in the bottom of the 5th with four runs on three hits and three errors, and after a scoreless 6th, would pull out the opener with a walk-off run in the bottom of the 7th.
Seven Trolls would collect two or more base hits in the game, led by Kondo's 3-for-5 performance with three RBI and a run. Shane Jones would finish 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run.
St. Francis 7, Trinity 4
WP: Panzella • LP: Nielsen (0-4)
St. Francis would take a 1-0 lead on a solo home run again to start game two, before the Trolls bounced back in the top of the 4th. Jones and Wright would each collect RBI doubles to put Trinity in front 2-1.
The Saints would take the lead in the bottom of the 5th, scoring six runs on six hits and an error, to take a 7-2 lead. Trinity would push across runs in the 6th and 8th on a sac fly and throwing error, respectively, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Carter Chaney went 3-for-5 in the second game, with one double and two runs scored. Kondo and Jones each had two hits, with Jones also recording an RBI, double, and two runs.
The Trolls will look to bounce back on Tuesday, when they travel to Olivet Nazarene for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
