BASEBALL: Trinity squeezes by RTCA to continue week 1 win streak, open first road trip

Trinity traveled to Lyons Monday to face Robert Toombs Christian Academy in a battle of Crusaders.  The hits were limited on both sides, but the visiting Crusaders found enough offense to pull away for the 6-2 win.

After Trinity went quietly in the top of the first, the defense let it down in the bottom of the frame. Three  errors and one Robert Toombs hit plated a pair of runs to make it 2-0. Luckily, a double play would end the inning with no further damage.

Trinity was able to knot the score in the third. Asher Evans reached on a one-out error. With two outs, Brayden Underwood drove him home with a single to make it 2-1.  

Walks to Jakob Sahli and Tripp Mascaro loaded the bases, and a third in a row to starting pitcher Kolbi Grooms brought in in courtesy runner Andrew Helton with the tying run to make it 2-2.

The home team would threaten again in the home half of the third. RTCA loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks. Grooms was able to get out of trouble with a pop up to keep the score tied.

Evans would get another Trinity rally going with two outs in the fourth when he reached on another error. Ben Helton and Underwood would both then walk to load the bases. Evans and Helton scored on wild pitches to give Trinity a 4-2 advantage.

Evans would spark the offense again in the sixth with a two-out double. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and Helton walked to put runners at the corners.

A double steal plated Evans to make it 5-2. Underwood followed by reaching on an error, allowing Helton to score and make it 6-2.

Robert Toombs got two-out hits in the sixth and the seventh, but could do no more damage as Trinity ran its record to 2-0. 

Underwood and Evans had the only two Trinity hits. The visiting Crusaders did draw eight walks, while only striking out twice.

Grooms got the win on the mound by going four innings, allowing just two hits, and no earned runs.  He walked two and struck out five. Cesar Rodriguez got the save by pitching the final three.  

He allowed two hits, no runs, no walks and had five Ks.

Trinity’s busy opening week continued Thursday with another road game at Thomas Jefferson. The Crusaders were scheduled to finish it up Friday in Macon at Mount de Sales. 

Region play will begin Tuesday in Eatonton with the first of a two-game series against Gatewood.