Titans Use Five-Run Ninth to Stun Miners

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Augusta, NJ - Down to their final three outs and on the verge of being swept, the Ottawa Titans (3-5) rallied in the ninth inning to beat the Sussex County Miners (4-5) by a 5-2 final on Sunday - ending their season-opening road trip.

The Miners did damage early, capitalizing in the second inning against lefty Kyle White (ND, 0-0) - with Tony Gomez knocking in the first run of the game with an RBI single to left-centre.

Making his first pro start, White went three and allowed the one run on two hits, walking four, and striking out three.

With another contest appearing to slip away slowly - the Titans showed some life with a double from Christian Ibarra to push AJ Wright's lead-off single to third in the sixth inning. With two in scoring position - soft-tossing lefty Robby Curry struck out Jamey Smart and Jason Dicochea to end the inning.

An RBI double from Willie Escala off Matt Voelker made it 2-0 as it plated a lead-off walk to Kyle Richards.

Down to their final three outs and Ronnie Voacolo (loss, 0-1) on for the save - the Titans caught fire by sending 11 to the plate, scoring five runs on five hits. Loading the bases with nobody out, back-to-back singles from Jake Guenther and Taylor Wright tied the score - before AJ Wright gave the Titans the lead with a sac fly to right. An RBI single from Jackie Urbaez added to the lead before the bases loaded up again - where Jamey Smart brought home another after being hit by a pitch from right-hander Noah Richardson. 

The runs crossing the plate in the ninth spoiled 20 shutout innings for Miners pitching - a streak that began in the seventh inning of Friday's contest.

With a 5-2 lead, Erasmo Piñales (save, 3) faced the minimum and rolled a game-ending 5-4-3 double play to secure the win.

Along with White, Voelker, and Piñales - McLain Harris and Matt Dallas worked a combined three shutout innings to help the Titans to victory.

Jake Guenther went 1-for-1 with an RBI, three walks, and two stolen bases - while Jackie Urbaez and AJ Wright recorded multi-hit performances.

With an off day on Monday - the Ottawa Titans head home for their 2024 Home Opener and the first of a three-game series against the Tri-City ValleyCats on Tuesday night at 6:30 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 season tickets, group outings, and nine-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.