MASON, Ohio – The stage has been set for top-seeded Trevecca Nazarene and No. 5 seed Tiffin to compete for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Championship trophy on Saturday at PRASCO Park.
The Trojans and Dragons had different paths to the championship series but played their way to the final two as the championship bracket eliminated two more teams during Friday’s three contests.
Trevecca Nazarene took care of business in the winner’s bracket with a victory over No. 6 Hillsdale as the offense erupted for nine runs to help preserve pitching. The Chargers had an incredible run with a very young roster but saw their season come to a close in the nightcap against Tiffin.
The Dragons received the performance of a lifetime from RHP Logan Fisher, who reached deep into his arsenal to really put the team on his back on the mound. Fisher recorded all outs but one in a clutch start to survive and advance. He struck out nine and Robert Guerrero III made his second appearance of the day to finish it out in a save situation.
Fisher worked his way around three home runs by Hillsdale’s vaunted offense, including a somewhat controversial shot in the first inning by Jeff Landis that clipped the foul pole out in right field.
Additionally, all-conference freshman Aidan Brewer and Joe Hardenbergh flashed their power for the Chargers with home runs. Tiffin erased a 4-0 deficit in its trip to the plate in the sixth inning as Griffin Stevens ripped a two-run game-tying single.
Tim Orr plated the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly and Zach Campbell came through with a two-run single after legging out a triple just an inning ago.
Tiffin does have the one loss in the conference tournament to Kentucky Wesleyan but avenged it earlier in the afternoon at Legacy Field.
Trevecca Nazarene enjoyed a five-run second inning with some seeing eye singles and a key RBI bunt for a hit. Ethan Harrison put a charge in the Trojans’ offense with a two-run blast in the fourth inning to back a strong start by RHP Drew Pierce.
Pierce limited Hillsdale to just three hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked one as his offense came through with 14 hits.
By design, Tiffin will have its work cut out by needing to defeat TNU not only at noon, but also the ‘if necessary’ game that could follow. The Trojans just need one more win to complete a perfect run through the tournament bracket and clinch the conference’s AQ into the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional.
No. 4 Kentucky Wesleyan was eliminated from championship contention earlier in the day against Tiffin at Legacy Field. The Panthers were the conference preseason favorites.