Four Late Unanswered Runs Help Titans Stun Slammers

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Joliet, IL - For the third consecutive night, the Ottawa Titans (29-18) used a late comeback, this time posting four unanswered runs to defeat the Joliet Slammers (22-27) by a narrow 6-5 final on Friday, winning their third in a row.

Once again, the Titans used a fantastic start - putting the first two aboard in the opening half inning. A leadoff walk to AJ Wright was sent across the diamond courtesy of a Jackie Urbaez double. Next, Jake Guenther chopped a ground ball to first, plating the series' opening tally.

Scott Prins (ND, 2-3) grinding through six innings - seeing the Slammers score in three consecutive innings from the second through the fourth.

A Cal Hejza single in the second plated former Titans signee Jonathan Sierra to tie the game - before Drew Stengren put the Slammers ahead with an RBI single up the middle in the third.

The Titans tied the game in the top of the fourth - seeing Victor Cerny punch a base hit to right, scoring a Jamey Smart base hit - pulling the contest level at 2-2.

In the fifth, the Slammers pulled right back in front following a single and a hit batter. Rookie Antonio Valdez smashed the first offering he saw from Prins over the wall in right - seeing the home side take a 5-2 lead.

Prins would exit after six innings - allowing five runs on a season-high ten hits, walking two, and punching out three.

On the mound for the opposition, former Titans ace Zac Westcott (ND, 4-4) held his own for six quality frames. The veteran righty allowed just two runs on four hits, walking four, and striking out three. It was set up to be a monumental night - as Westcott needed one win to tie the Frontier League record with 51 career victories.

In the seventh, the Titans started to chip away - seeing the bases load up with a pair out. Against right-hander Ian Delleman, Taylor Wright came off the bench, drawing a walk to score a run to make it 5-3. Next, Brendan O'Donnell popped out in foul territory to end the threat.

It took until the ninth - when a two-out rally propelled the Titans into their first lead since the opening frame. With Christian Ibarra aboard, Taylor Wright's double to the gap in left-centre made it a one-run game. Next, Brendan O'Donnell redeemed himself with a go-ahead two-run homer the opposite way to right against Cole Wesneski (loss, 3-2) to make it 6-5 for the visitors. The long ball for O'Donnell was the first of his professional career and set the Titans up for victory.

After two scoreless innings from Kyle White (win, 1-0), the Titans turned to McLain Harris (save, 1) to lock down the win with his first career save.

AJ Wright reached base three times with a walk and a hit by pitch, while Aaron Casillas went 2-for-5 with his second double of the road trip.

The Titans have now won three in a row, nine of their last ten, and 19 of their last 23 following the come-from-behind victory.

The Ottawa Titans continue their six-game road trip with the second of a three-game series against the Joliet Slammers on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. ET from Slammers Stadium in Joliet, Illinois. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94,5 Unique FM and live-streamed on Flo Baseball.

For information on tickets, group outings, and nine-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.