10-run fourth inning pushes Triceratops past Park Point, 24-7

PARMA, Ohio (athletics.tri-c.edu) – The Cuyahoga Community College Triceratops concluded their non-conference schedule in style, with a 10-run fourth inning serving as the catalyst for a 24-7 win over NCAA Division II foe, Park Point University. The win marks the Triceratops' second consecutive double-digit win over an NCAA opponent.

The fourth inning was kicked off by a hustle infield single by Nash Driedger (Fr./ Windsor, Ontario, Canada), who proceeded to steal second base in the next at bat. From there, the Triceratops' bats went to work, with a string of RBI singles from Vinny Gallaher (So./Toledo, Ohio), Nathan Hill (So./Medina, Ohio/Toledo), and Brock Miller (So./Willard, Ohio). Later in the inning, the hard-hit singles turned to extra base hits as 18 roped a two RBI triple and 16 followed with a two-run shot to straightaway left field.

The Triceratops scored a run in all nine innings against the Pioneers. It was a full team effort, with 11 different hitters knocking in an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Each team posted a run in the opening frame, Park Point by way of an RBI single and Tri-C coming off an errant throw that moved Jakob Jones (Fr./Reynoldsburg, Ohio) from first to home in an outstanding display of aggressive baserunning.
• The Triceratops struck again in the second as Jackson Boles (So.) singled, stole second base and later scored on a passed ball.
• Point Park started the bottom of the third off hot, loading the bases with no outs. All told, the Pioneers were able to score four runs in the frame, taking a 4-2 lead.
• The Triceratops immediately seized the lead back in the bottom of the fourth as Jamir Ross (R-Fr./Dayton, Ohio), Gallaher and Hill each knocked in a run to put Tri-C up 5-4. They would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way.
• Keagan Gilbride (So./Akron, Ohio) took the ball in the top of the fourth, blanking the Pioneers before the Triceratops exploded for 10 runs, taking a 15-4 lead.
• Johnny Vuraich (Fr./Euclid, Ohio) led off the bottom of the fifth. He was later driven in on a Brycen Brittain (So./St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) triple off the center field wall that was just feet away from clearing the fence.
• A Kevin Baker (R-Fr./Avon Lake, Ohio) RBI double in the bottom of the sixth pushed the Triceratops lead to 17-4.
• Park Point was able to put two runs on the board in the top of the seventh courtesy of a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch. An RBI single off the bat of Miller in the bottom half of the frame put the Triceratops up 18-5.
• The Triceratops kept the pedal to the metal, putting up five runs in their final at bats, capped off by a towering three-run shot by Ethan Green (So./Youngstown, Ohio).

UP NEXT

The Triceratops will turn their attention to Ohio Community College Athletic Conference action with a Tuesday, April 21, doubleheader against Lorain County Community College. First pitch from Ron Mottl Field is scheduled for 5 p.m.

FOLLOW THE TRICERATOPS

Keep up with all things Tri-C Athletics by following the Triceratops on Instagram @tri_c_athletics, Facebook @Tri-C Athletics and X @TriCAthletics.

Follow the baseball team on Instagram at @tricbaseball.