Tiger Baseball swept Babson College to open the 2024 season, scoring at least eight runs in all three games. The most notable part of the series was a comeback win in game two, where the Tigers were down 14-5 in the eighth inning. The team stormed back, scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the eighth, and a grand slam from senior designated hitter Christian Holloway completed the comeback.
This past Friday, Trinity took game one of the three-game series decisively, taking down the Beavers 8-2. The Tigers took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, which featured a three-run homer from junior first-baseman Brandon Nelson. Trinity knocked out Babson’s opening-day starting pitcher in the first inning, setting the tone for a dominant win.
The Tiger bats continued to flex their muscles, scoring four more runs in the second inning, extending the early lead to eight. However, Trinity did not score again in the game as they struggled to find consistency.
Senior right-handed pitcher Joseph Chanava earned the win despite allowing six walks. Chavana threw six innings, gave up five hits and only allowed two earned runs while also collecting three strikeouts.
Though he allowed an unusually high number of base runners, Chavana was still able to induce four inning-ending double plays.
Game two did not start well for the Tigers, as they found themselves in an early 5-1 hole, but were able to tie the game at five in the bottom of the sixth. However, things unraveled quickly for the Tigers, as Babson hit four home runs in the seventh inning. Trinity was forced to use four pitchers in the same inning, and they ultimately allowed nine runs in the frame.
Entering the bottom of the eighth, Trinity was down 14-5 with only two innings to make up nine runs. The Tigers began the eighth inning with six consecutive batters reaching base, including a three-run bomb over the left field wall by first-year catcher Pierce Matthews. Matthews’ home run brought the score to 14-9 and was the first hit of his Trinity career.
Trinity then brought in a few more runs to make the score 14-11 and loaded the bases with two outs. It was all up to the senior Cristian Holloway, who worked a long at-bat to a full count. Holloway drove the 3-2 pitch to deep left field, hitting a grand slam to give the Tigers a 15-14 lead. Sophomore pitcher Trajan Lee then shut the door in the ninth inning, completing the comeback for the Tigers.
Game three was much less dramatic, as the Tigers jumped to a 16-0 lead before Babson got on the board. Four of those runs were put on the board by senior center fielder Jack Peterson, who hit two home runs: a solo shot and a three-run shot.
Despite the continued offensive excellence, senior right-handed pitcher Jackson Teer was arguably the best player on both sides. Teer, the reigning SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) pitcher of the year, threw seven innings and only allowed three total base runners. He only allowed one hit and one walk and struck out 14 Beavers on his way to a win. Trinity would ultimately win game three 16-6, sweeping Babson for the first time in the matchup’s history.
Trinity Baseball trounced Babson in two of three games, sweeping a team that was in the conversation to be nationally ranked. During the series, the Tigers showed their ability to put runs on the board and demonstrated the strength of their starting pitching. The team will look to build on their hot start as they invite the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to San Antonio for a four-game series.
