Titans Take Wild Offensive Opener From Jackals

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Ottawa, ON - The Ottawa Titans (24-17) started off the Canada Day long weekend with some early fireworks, riding a trio of multi-run frames to double up the New Jersey Jackals (12-29) by a 10-5 final on Friday, winning their fourth in a row.

The opener began with a bang in the bottom of the first - seeing a leadoff triple from Jackie Urbaez stand 90 feet away against right-hander Jalon Long (loss, 3-3), who later unleashed a wild pitch to score the opening run.

With a man on later in the inning - Jason Dicochea hit his fifth homer of the year and second in as many days with a two-run blast to left-centre. After it was announced that the captain would retire after the game to pursue a career in coaching - Dicochea had the Titans up 3-0 after one.

Pitching with the lead entering the second - Scott Prins (win, 2-3) saw nine Jackals come to the plate, with three coming around to score on four hits. Ryan Ford and Nilo Rijo connected for RBI singles while a balk plated another - seeing the game tied up at three.

The Titans bounced right back in support of the rookie starter - seeing the offence take advantage of an error as Michel Fuhrman pulled a double inside the third base bag and down the left field line, scoring Taylor Wright to make it 4-3.

Two innings later in the fourth, Michael Fuhrman smoked his second triple of the season off the left-centre field fence - scoring on a Jackie Urbaez sac fly, making it 5-3.

After tossing two scoreless frames and with the lead - Prins saw back-to-back two-out doubles come across to score, as the Jackals once again tied the score - this time at five.

A half inning later in the bottom of the fifth - the Titans took advantage of another error, seeing Jamey Smart put the Titans ahead for good with a single to right-centre. After the base hit, Long exited the game with two still on - as Brendan O'Donnell lifted a sac fly to right, scoring Jason Dicochea to make it 7-5.

Exiting after five - Prins left in line for the win after allowing five runs - four earned - on eight hits, walking two, hitting one, and striking out five for his second win in his last three departs.

After a third error scored one in the seventh against Chris Mormile - a Taylor Wright double and yet another knock from Michael Fuhrman helped the Titans finish the scoring by reaching double digits.

In relief - Jonah Jenkins, McLain Harris, and Matt Dallas combined to toss four shutout innings out of the bullpen.

The Titans have won four in a row, six straight against the Jackals, and seven consecutive on home field - while also emerging as winners in 14 of the last 17 contests.

Michael Fuhrman shined in the opener by going 3-for-3 with a double, triple, walk, and two RBI - while also throwing out three base stealers defensively from behind the dish.

Jackie Urbaez and Jason Dicochea had two-hit performances while Jake Guenther continued his great week with a three-hit night.

The Ottawa Titans continue their six-game homestand with the second of three against the New Jersey Jackals on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. from Ottawa Stadium. 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.