Trailblazer baseball wins over Joliet in home opener

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball hosted their first home game of the season Friday afternoon and came away with a win over Joliet. The Friday matchup was supposed to feature a doubleheader, but rain suspended the second game in the third inning.

The Trailblazers fell behind early, giving up three runs in the top of the first. Vincennes was able to respond quickly though as sophomore second baseman Trent Weiss launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first.

Peyton Lane followed Weiss with a three-run home run of his own in the second to give VU the 4-3 lead.

Vincennes expanded their lead in the third when Max Flock hit an RBI double, followed by runs batted in by Ryne Wheeler, Peyton Lane and Isaac Lane.

Joliet narrowed the margin to 8-7 in the top of the fifth, but again VU was able to respond after a leadoff triple by Colin Long kickstarted a three-run inning which included a two-run homer by Macaine Claycomb.

The Trailblazers continued to build their lead in the sixth with a two RBI double by Colin Long brought in Flock and Sam Steimel.

The additional insurance runs came in handy, as Joliet was able to score two runs in the top of the seventh but ran out of out as VU capped off their second win of the season 13-9.

Vincennes started Gehrig Tenhumberg on the mound. The freshman hurler lasted four and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits, while striking out five.

Tenhumberg was relieved by Connor VanLannen who pitched the remaining two and a third innings, giving up two runs and striking out four.

Game two got off to a great start for the Trailblazers as VU starter Cooper Thacker struck out five of the first seven batters he faced.

The Trailblazers offense continued to roll where they left off, with Peyton Lane hitting a leadoff double. Isaac Lane followed behind him with a double of his own and was brought in by an RBI single by Max Flock.

Vincennes continued to score in the second, when Colin Long and Isaac Lane hit back-to-back two-RBI doubles. Lane came around to score on a Parker Watts groundout gave the Blazers a commanding 7-1 advantage.

The rain that began at the start of game two came in to play in the top of the third. The persistent rain caused the game to be suspended until Saturday, Feb. 27. First pitch will be at 10:30 a.m. eastern, with the Trailblazers ahead 7-3. VU will also take on College of DuPage Saturday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. eastern.

Joliet  3 0 0   0 4 0   2 – 9 8 3

VU (2-1)  1 3 4   0 3 2   x – 13 14 2

Vincennes pitching – Gehrig Tenhumberg (W) – 4.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 K, 4 BB, 96 pitches, Connor VanLannen – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 4 K, 3 BB, 44 pitches

Vincennes hitting – Peyton Lane 2-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs. Trent Weiss 2-5, 1B, HR, 1 RBI, 1 run. Isaac Lane 1-3, 1B, 1 RBI. Macaine Claycomb 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 1 run. Devon Rodgers 1-3, 1B, 2 SB, 1 run. Max Flock 2-4, 1B, 2B, 1 RBI, 2 runs. Sam Steimel 2-3, 2 1B, BB, 3 runs. Ryne Wheeler 0-3, ROE, SF, 1 RBI. Colin Long 3-3, 2 1B, 3B, Sac bunt, 2 RBI, 2 runs.