LEBANON, Tenn.--Dee Triplett hit two home runs to power Cumberland to a game one win. Game two was a pitcher's duel between
Ethan Torres and Zach Zoborowski. Indiana Tech took a no-hitter in the final inning, but Cumberland showed resilience to chase the starter and walk it off with a Toshi Kuriyi game-winner.
Game one started as a pitcher's duel between Cumberland starter Carter Ross and Indiana Tech's starter Grant Besser. The Warriors got on the board first in the second inning as they manufactured a run. Carson McNulty singled to lead off the inning followed by a single sending McNulty from first to third. He came in to score the games first run on a sacrifice fly to center.
The score stood at 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning. Dee Triplett lead off the inning with a solo home run to right field to tie the game. Seth Sweet-Chick doubled to left on the next pitch and Preston Welchel followed with a high fly ball right at the mound that fell for a hit. Alonzo Zuniga brought home Sweet-Chick with a single through the left side and Krump singled up the middle, but the throw from the center fielder hit Joseph Rodriguez at second base and allowed a run to come in. Brandon Boxer doubled to left center to score two more runs before the inning came to a close with the Phoenix up 5-1.
Indiana Tech again manufactured a run in the fifth scoring on a sacrifice fly. The Warriors loaded the bases and threatened to score more, but Rost left the bases loaded allowing just the one run.
Triplett got the run right back for Cumberland leading off the bottom of the fifth with his second home run of the game. This time a shot to left field off the lefty Besser and pushing the lead to 6-2.
Rost closed the game out to pick up the complete game win. Rost scattered seven hits, punched out three batters, and issued two walks.
Game two was a pitcher's duel between Phoenix starter Ethan Torres and Indiana Tech starter Zach Zoborowski. Torres went six strong innings for the Phoenix giving up three hits with eight strikeouts. Zoborowski took a no-hitter into the seventh. He finished with 11 strikeouts and two walks in a no decision.
In the second inning, Patrick McGinn drew a walk and with two outs Torres issued a second walk to put runners on first and second. Quinn Seafeldt hit a two out double down the line to plate one run before the final out of the inning was recorded.
The one run in the second appeared to be enough for Zoborowski who took a no-hitter into the seventh, but the Phoenix had other ideas.
Tim Holyk reached to start the inning on a throwing error and pinch-runner Brandon Boxer forced the issue by stealing second base. The throw down skipped away allowing Boxer to get all the way to third with no outs. Triplett delivered a game-tying single to right field to break up the no-hitter and end Zoborowski's outing.
Next batter, Welchel, facing a new arm, hit a ground ball to second base that was thrown away, but not far enough as Triplett was thrown out trying to get to third base. Welchel moved up on a wild pitch and then the Phoenix pinch-ran for him as the go-ahead run on second base with one out. Toshi Kuriya delivered the game-winning hit to center as McGinn laid out trying to get the out, but the ball fell and Ty Martin scored the game-winning run to sweep the day.
Indiana Tech and Cumberland will line up for game three of the series tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.