Taylor University snapped the Grenadiers’ six-game winning streak by defeating them 6-4 in the second game of a double-header on March 6 at the Koetter Sports Baseball Complex.
The Trojans avoided a sweep on the first day of a four game series by rallying from a 4-3 deficit in the top of the seventh inning and scoring three to go ahead 6-4.
The Grenadiers were unable to get any offense going in the bottom of the seventh against Taylor University’s, Michael Kraynak, junior third baseman and pitcher, who came in to close out the game. Kraynak pitched two scoreless innings and did not give up a single hit.
Kyle Gould, Taylor University head coach, said the win was a huge momentum boost for his team.
“The biggest thing about winning this second game is we have two more games against these guys tomorrow,” Gould said. “It will definitely make the stay in the hotel a lot nicer tonight.”
The game would be settled on which team was able to limit their untimely errors. The Grenadiers and Trojans each scored one run in the first inning in large part to each team committing an error.
The Trojans led the game off with a single by Paul Passiales, senior catcher. Passiales then stole second and reached third on a wild pitch by starter Alex Sedam, junior pitcher. Passiales later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kraynak, who started the game at third base.
The Grenadiers offense was started by Drew Locascio, senior infielder, with a double off of starter Chris Howell, sophomore pitcher, and reached third on a throwing error. Howell then struck out Jeff Klump, junior infielder, but the ball got away from Passiales and Locascio was able to score.
The Grenadiers settled down defensively for the next four innings. Sedam settled on the mound as well, not giving up any hits and striking out five.
The Grenadiers added another run in the fourth off of a sacrifice fly by Craig Roberts, freshman infielder.
The Grenadiers got a couple of singles from Jeremy Boehnlein, senior outfielder, and Ryan Jones, senior outfielder, to lead the fifth inning off. Klump later hit a two RBI single to push the Grenadiers lead out to 4-1.
The sixth inning started with what seemed like an innocent error that allowed Matt Maple, senior infielder, to reach first for Taylor University. The Trojans followed with two quick outs before Cassidy Emery, senior outfielder, cranked a two-run homerun to close the lead to one heading into the seventh inning.
Taylor University was able to add an additional three runs in the top of the seventh inning, again aided by Grenadier errors.
Ben Reel, IUS head coach, said he was frustrated with the mistakes his players were making.
“Defensively we can’t make errors,” Reel said. “When they give you outs, you have to take them.”
The Trojans relievers were effectively able to shut down the Grenadiers offense not allowing a hit in the sixth and seventh innings. Brent Kimbro, sophomore pitcher, came on in relief for Howell in the middle of the fifth and pitched an inning and two thirds [stat line]. Kranyak came out in the bottom of the seventh and closed the game out.
Gould said he was pleased with his team for bouncing back in the second game and avoiding the sweep.
“Our guys battled back, we kept battling and kept playing hard,” Gould said. “We got some really big hits when we needed them and it is huge to even this series out.”
The Grenadiers play Taylor University on Saturday, March 7, in another double header. Reel said he expects his team to come out with a better effort.
“I really expect these guys to come out here with a really big effort tomorrow,” Reel said. “It’s a totally different thing when you give a game away than having it taken away. I told the guys to learn from their mistakes and just go out tomorrow and play sound fundamental baseball.”
By GREG DASSELL
Editor
gdassell@ius.edu
