Titans Take Opening Series From Knockouts

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Brockton, MA - In a back-and-forth series finale, the Ottawa Titans (2-1) squeezed out a 5-4 victory over the New England Knockouts (1-2) on Sunday, winning the rubber match of their opening series of the 2024 campaign.

Both starters, Grant Larson (ND, 0-0) and Liam O'Sullivan (ND, 0-0), were locked in early on - cruising through their first outings of the season.

The Knockouts struck first in the second on an RBI single from Ramon Jimenez - cashing in Luis Atiles, who had singled earlier in the frame and got into scoring position with a scoring base.

In the fourth, the Titans jumped out in front 2-1 with a two-run homer from Jamey Smart.

Jake Boone's first hit of the season cleared the left-field wall against Larson for a solo homer, tying the game at two in the fifth.

Done after six, Larson tossed a quality start - allowing two earned on five hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out five in the no decision.

The rubber match stayed tied until the eighth when the Titans loaded the bases against Brad VanAsdlen. With nobody out - AJ Wright and Christian Ibarra each brought home one with sacrifice flies - putting the Titans up 4-2.

Scrappy all series offensively - the Knockouts tied the score against Matt Voelker (win, 1-0) in the bottom half of the eighth. With two in scoring position, an RBI groundout from Jalen Garcia made it a one-run game before a wild pitch brought home the tying run.

The Titans loaded the bases for the second straight frame, this time against Reeves Martin (loss, 0-1) with one away. Victor Cerny put the visitors in front for good with an infield single to short - scoring Jake Sanford to make it 5-4.

Erasmo Piñales (save, 2) picked up his second save of the season by working a clean ninth inning.

In the win, Laz Rivera and Victor Cerny each had three hits - while Jamey Smart had a pair of knocks, including his first long ball of the season.

With off days on Monday and Tuesday, the Ottawa Titans continue their season-opening road trip with the first of a two-game series against the New Jersey Jackals on Wednesday morning at 11:35 a.m. from Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94,5 Unique FM and live-streamed on Flo Baseball. The Titans’ home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st versus the Tri-City ValleyCats at Ottawa Stadium.

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