TIFFIN, Ohio - Senior Jordan Liette struck out eight batters as the Tiffin University baseball team (15-22, 10-14 GLIAC) swept a doubleheader from Hillsdale (9-29, 7-19 GLIAC) 8-5 and 2-0, Saturday afternoon at Heminger Field.
In game one, Hillsdale struck first, scoring twice in the first inning. Tiffin scored a run in the second and two in the third. That made it 3-2, Dragons after three innings. The Chargers tied it up with a run in the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, junior KC Weber singled and freshman Nick Calandra walked. HC misplayed a bunt by junior Kyle Robinson to load the bases. Hillsdale turned a double play but Weber scored on the play to make it 4-3 TU. The Chargers scored twice in the fifth to take the lead at 5-4.
In the sixth inning, Weber walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. HC intentionally walked Robinson. Both players stole a base followed by a walk to senior Val Helldobler. Senior Pat Curtin ripped a double to left field that scored Weber and Robinson.
Senior Jordan Chiero singled to load the bases and a single from junior Ryan Williams scored Helldobler. Junior Tyler Glass grounded to the shortstop for an apparent easy double play. They got Glass at first but the fielder missed second base. That miscue allowed Curtin to score.
For Tiffin, Chiero and Helldobler had two hits each while Curtin and Williams drove in two runs each. Freshman Greg Sombati (2-0) gave up one hit and struck out two in two innings.
For Hillsdale, Nolan Nunez and Scott Rhodes had two hits each. Colin Casey (3-3) gave up three runs, all earned, walked four and struck out one in 2.1 innings.
In the night cap, it was a pitching duel as both starters went the distance. In the fourth inning, Curtin reached on an error and moved to third on a double by Chiero. Williams singled past the third baseman to score Curtin.
In the fifth inning, junior Ryan Locke doubled and moved to third on a single by Weber. Calandra hit a grounder that Hillsdale fielded and caught Locke in a rundown. The catcher overthrew the bag and Locke would score. The Chargers threatened with two on and one out in the seventh but senior Jordan Liette got them to hit into a game ending double play.
For Tiffin, Williams had two hits while Chiero extended his hitting streak to eight games. Liette (3-5) gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out eight in seven innings.
For Hillsdale, Mike Blanchard, Brad Hayden and Rhodes had two hits each. Dan Rhodes (1-2) gave up seven hits, two runs, one earned, walked one and struck out three in seven innings.
Tiffin closes the series with Hillsdale, Sunday, April 22. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at noon.
Live stats will be available at http://dragonweb.tiffin.edu/livestats/xlive.htm
-TIFFIN UNIVERSITY-
