Titans Lose Early Lead, Fall to ValleyCats

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Ottawa, ON - Despite a four-run second inning, the Ottawa Titans (23-26) fell 11-6 to the Tri-City ValleyCats (30-19) on Friday night.

Following a scoreless first, the Titans seemed to be down in out in the second against right-hander Dan Beebe (ND, 2-1), but the home side was able to string together a rally. Loading the bases after a walk, double, and a hit by pitch, Beebe tossed a wild pitch to score Jake Gitter to open the scoring. After another walk loaded up the bags once more, Sicnarf Loopstok and Jamey Smart drove in a trio to make it 4-0.

The lead stayed intact until the fourth, when Robbie Merced's first of two doubles on the night highlighted a three-run frame, cutting the deficit to one.

In the fifth, the ValleyCats sent ten to the plate against Grant Larson (loss, 4-6) and tallied seven runs on five hits. Jakob Goldfarb knocked in a pair to give the ValleyCats the lead before Zach Biermann drove home one. With two on, Ian Walters' three-run blast off of Andrew Roach made it 10-4.

Larson would exit after four and a third and allow a career-high eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits, walking one, and striking out three.

With the ValleyCats adding another in the top of the sixth, the Titans attempted at a late comeback with Jake Gitter's RBI double off Brendan Bell in the seventh.

Jamey Smart's double in the eighth was brought home by Taylor Wright's RBI double against Blake Workman, pulling the Titans to as close as five.

Out of the bullpen, Brooks Walton once again impressed by allowing just one run over four innings of relief. The righty struck out three while retiring the final ten he faced.

In the loss, the Titans recorded five doubles in the series opener. Jackie Urbaez (11 games), Jason Dicochea (six games), Sicnarf Loopstok (11 games), and Jamey Smart (five games) all extended their lengthy hit streaks.

The Ottawa Titans continue their final series of the first half with the Tri-City ValleyCats on Saturday night at 6:00 pm. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94,5 UNIK FM and live-streamed on Flo Baseball. For information on season tickets, group outings, and nine-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.