Triceratops can’t overcome fast Macomb C.C. start, fall 10-4

JACKSON, Mich. (athletics.tri-c.edu) – The Cuyahoga Community College Triceratops (33-17-1, 13-3 OCCAC) fought hard, but were unable to overcome six runs in the first two innings by Macomb Community College (36-15, 20-5 MCCAA), ultimately falling to the Monarchs 8-1 in the NJCAA Region XII Championship Rounds, May 14.

The Triceratops aren't eliminated from the tournament. Instead, they will play Henry Ford College later today in the first matchup of the consolation bracket.

Macomb jumped all over starting pitcher Ryan Torok (So,/Canton, Mich./Toledo), who saw three runs come across on 0.2 innings of work. Reliever David Moore (So/Houston, Texas/Akron) came on in the third to stabilize the Triceratops defense and pitched the remaining seven innings.

Both Brayden Bortnick (Fr./Mentor, Ohio) and Nash Driedger (Fr./Windsor, Ontario, Canada) had two hits on the day for the Triceratops. Vinny Gallaher (So./Toledo, Ohio) was the only Triceratops hitter with multiple RBIs, notching two on a seventh-inning RBI double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs put up a strong first inning, chasing Torok and plating four runs on three walks and a fielder's choice.
• Macomb came back in the second inning with two more runs courtesy of a single by Buster Debol.
• A single by Peyton Rich in the bottom of the third put the Monarchs up 7-0 through three.
• The Tri-C offense plated their first run in the top of the fourth with a Driedger RBI single scoring Bortnick and cutting the deficit to 7-1.
• Macomb made up the run in the home half of the fourth with a sacrifice fly to go up 8-1.
• Debol struck again with a two-out RBI single to left in the bottom fo the sixth to put Macomb up 9-1.
• The Triceratops started their comeback bid in earnest in the seventh, scoring three runs to inch closer, 9-4. A double by Gallaher scored two of the three runs and got the party started, with a sacrifice fly by Kohan Merritt (So./Belle River, Ontario, Canada) bringing Gallaher in to score.
• Macomb didn't stand idly by, though, scoring a run of their own in the home half of the seventh with an RBI single, extending the lead to 10-4.

UP NEXT

The Triceratops will continue their pursuit of the NJCAA Region XII Championship later today in the consolation bracket. Tri-C will face No. 6 Henry Ford Community College in a win or go home match at 6 p.m. tonight from JC Baseball Field in Jackson, Mich.

All games in the NJCAA Region XII Championship Rounds will be broadcast live on the NJCAA Region XII YouTube channel. No tickets are required to attend the event, but parking on-campus at Jackson College is $10.

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