PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Sophomore Hector Mendoza would hit his first home run as a Troll on Thursday afternoon, but Trinity would come up just short in a doubleheader with Concordia (Mich.), falling 8-2 in game one, and 8-6 in a 10-inning game two.
Concordia 8, Trinity 2
WP: Mane • LP: Strutz (3-3)
The Cardinals would take an early lead with a run in the top of the 1st, then rally for four more runs in the 2nd on two hits, four walks and an error. In the 4th inning, a leadoff double would lead to two more runs, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead midway through the game.
The Trolls would have three hits through the first four innings, but two double plays would end Trinity's scoring changes early. Trinity would break through in the bottom of the 5th, after Omar Wright's leadoff single and stolen base would allow the senior to later score on Hector Mendoza's groundout. The Trolls would get another run in the 7th after back-to-back singles from Carter Chaney and Shane Jones would set the table, as Chaney would come home on a Cardinal throwing error, but the rally would end there as Concordia closed out the opener.
Taiki Kondo went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Trolls in game one. Chase Hadley would pitch 3.2 innings of relief, striking out two with one run allowed.
Concordia 8, Trinity 6 (10 inn.)
WP: Weaver • LP: Noe (0-2)
HR: Mendoza (1)
Concordia struck first again, scoring a run in the top of the 2nd, but Trinity would respond in the bottom half of the frame. Wright would reach base on error to start the rally, before singles from Mendoza and Casey Folkerts would tie the game at 1-1. Mendoza would then score on Brodie Mayberry's single to give the Trolls the lead.
Trinity extended their lead in the 3rd, scoring four runs on three hits, highlighted by Mendoza's two-run home run, his first of the season.
The Cardinals would post three runs in the 4th to close the gap to 6-4, but then be held scoreless for the next two frames. Down to their last out in the top of the 7th, Concordia would score the tying run on a two-out double, sending the game to extra innings.
Both teams would record a hit in the 8th and 9th innings, but would be held off the scoreboard until the top of the 10th. A two-out double would score two runs for the Cardinals in the top of the inning, as the visitors secured the doubleheader sweep on the day.
Mendoza would finish 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs in the game, while Jones went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Folkerts also went 2-for-4, driving in an RBI.
The Trolls continue their non-conference run this week, with a doubleheader against Midway (Ky.) on Friday, April 4. Trinity will take on the Eagles at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., with first pitch scheduled for 10:00 a.m. CDT.
