TIFFIN, Ohio - Chris Pistorio threw five strong innings while Kyle Klinker forced two key double plays in relief in the second game as Tiffin (5-13, 2-2 GLIAC) earned a double-header and series split against Ohio Dominican (5-9, 2-2 GLIAC) on Sunday afternoon as ODU captured the first game 6-5 before TU took the second 7-2.
In the second game of the double header, Pistorio went 5-plus strong innings, coming up with big pitches when he needed to allow only two runs on four hits to pick up his first win of the season in two decisions. Klinker came in for a pressure situation with men on the corners and no outs in the top of the sixth, but forced a 1-6-3 double play and another ground ball out to preserve the Tiffin advantage.
Pat Curtin had the hot day at the plate for the Dragons, registering four hits in seven at-bats and two runs scored. He also drew a walk. Jordan Chiero and Val Helldobler both went 2-for-5 while Val had two runs and an RBI and Chiero had a pair of RBI's and a run scored. Zach McCutcheon had a pair of runs and RBI's despite going 0-for-6 from the plate.
Felix Brown led Ohio Dominican for the day with a double and triple in five at-bats with two runs and two RBI's. TJ Feldkamp added three singles in five at-bats with an RBI. Sean Blackburn (2-1) recorded the complete game shutout in game one, surrendering five runs (one earned) on only three hits.
In the second game of the day, Pistorio made key pitches and received great defense to pick up the win. After Germaine McAlpine walked on four straight pitches to begin the game for the Panthers, he was thrown out trying to steal and a ground out and strikeout gave Tiffin the first opportunity to score. Curtin doubled to begin the TU half of the inning, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored when Chiero singled. Carlos Garcia followed with a single and both runners advanced on a ground out to first base. ODU starter Zane Miller (1-2) looked like he might escape without further damage, but he was called for a balk and Tiffin took a 2-0 advantage.
Ohio Dominican went scoreless over the next three innings, but Tiffin blew the game wide open with three unearned runs in the fourth thanks to another wacky play reminiscent of yesterday's game. With two down and runners at second and third, McCutcheon hit a ball to third. ODU's fielder overthrew the ball at first to allow two more runs to score. However, the ball went up the right field line and McCutcheon tried to motor to third. The catcher threw the relay throw into the dugout as McCutcheon scored easily to put Tiffin up 5-0. Ohio Dominican threatened to get back in the game with the bases loaded with one out in the fifth, but a pop and line out around an RBI walk to McAlpine kept Tiffin up 5-1. Tiffin added a single run in the bottom of the fifth to push the advantage back to five runs.
The Panthers again threatened in the top of the sixth, but the defense held to keep the TU advantage. After a leadoff triple and then walk, Pistorio was relieved by Klinker. Bobby Franks grounded to Klinker for the 1-6-3 and a key two outs despite the run scoring. ODU grounded out to third on a nice stop by Chiero, who threw across the diamond for the out.
Tiffin got the run back in the bottom of the sixth and Klinker forced another 1-6-3 double play to end the game.
In game one, Tiffin fell behind 4-0 and came up short in a rally attempt in a 6-5 loss. Down four in the bottom of the second with two runners in scoring position with no outs, McCutcheon grounded out for the RBI. Nathan Mace flew out to centerfield, but ODU again continued its weekend theme of missing the cutoff man to allow Helldobler to score. Ryan Williams later came around on an overthrown pickoff attempt.
After two scoreless frames in the next two innings for both teams, Ohio Dominican opened up a 6-3 lead in the fifth. After a single and sacrifice bunt off of Tiffin starter Donnie Smith (1-3), two seeing-eye singles by ODU put the visiting team up two and men still on the corners with one out. A suicide squeeze by Nick DiNello put ODU up 6-3.
Tiffin picked up two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, but a rally attempt in the seventh fell short. With one out and runners at first and second, Chris Hall flied out and Garcia struck out swinging.
Tiffin returns to action Wednesday (March 30) in a conference double-header with Ohio-rival Ashland. The two seven-inning games kick off at 2 p.m.
