A 0-4 start in North Central Community College Conference (N4C) play was not what Triton College head coach
Harry Torgerson envisioned for his three-time defending N4C champions. However, the Trojans showed signs of getting back in the conference race with a doubleheader sweep by the finals of 8-7 and 13-6 over Joliet Junior College April 13 at Symonds-Puckett Field. Triton improves to 18-10 overall and 2-4 in the N4C.
"During the season you will go through spurts that you're winning a lot of ballgames and then have a bad week like we did the first week of March," Torgerson said. "It's fine to have one now while it's early. We just don't want to have a week like that happen towards the end of the year."
Prior to the start of game one, the Triton baseball program honored Wolves head coach Wayne King who is retiring after 33 seasons. King, who led Joliet to three national titles, was presented a glider rocking chair painted in Wolves purple.
When the game got started, King's squad jumped out to a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning before the Trojans mounted their rally.
Triton sent 10 men to the plate in their half of the sixth as the first nine batters reached base.
Troy Jones got things started with an RBI single to plate home
Bobby Grimes. Then the Joliet (15-14, 2-4, N4C) pitching got wild as they walked five to allow Triton to inch even closer.
Adam Brown and
Bryant Diel each got RBI's on bases loaded walks that forced in runs to cap a four-run frame and pull the Trojans within 6-5 through six.
The Wolves got an insurance tally in the top of the seventh to extend the lead to 7-5. But more control issues by the Joliet bullpen fueled a dramatic finish. Jones and
Luke Seidel got the home half of the seventh going with singles. Then
Jack Ferraro followed with a solid single to center to score Jones to make it a 7-6 contest.
Jim Filbin was intentionally walked to load the bases after Ferraro stole second on the first pitch of the at bat.
Mitch Hundley worked a walk to force in Seidel to tie the game. Then
Cameron Pauly singled to deep center to drive in Ferraro and complete the Triton comeback.
"We started making adjustments at the plate, especially with the wind howling out towards right field," Torgerson said. "I thought early on our guys were trying to swing big and during the middle innings talked about being more patient. Combine that with some of (Joliet's) command issues, we were able to comeback and win."
The Trojans carried over the momentum of the walk-off victory into game two as Triton pounded out 14 hits. Seidel led the charge with three hits and four RBI's. Grimes blasted a two-run homer in the second inning. Diel had an RBI double, Ferraro a two-run double and Filbin and RBI triple in a four-run fourth inning that broke the contest open as the Trojans enjoyed a commanding 9-3 advantage.
Trey Korbel got the start in game two, tossing the first four innings allowing three runs and striking out four.
John Lundgren pitched the final three frames, also allowing three runs and striking out three.
"I was happy overall with the way we played game two," said Torgerson. "We came out and scored some early runs which allowed Korbel to settle in and he gave us a quality outing. Lundgren followed and did a nice job. It was good to get him in because he hasn't pitched in 10 days with how the schedule has been affected by the weather."
Follow Triton Athletics on TwitterÂ
@TritonTrojans1Â or on InstagramÂ
@Triton_College_Athletics
Â
