Third-inning rally propels Trailblazers past Olney Central

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team got their busy weekend started on a positive note with a strong 9-6 win over Olney Central.

VU scored the first run of the game in the first, when lead-off hitter Colin Long got a double to get the Trailblazer offense started. Long would later score on an Isaac Lane ground out.

Vincennes held a 1-0 lead until the third, when the Trailblazers sent 11 batters to the plate and pushed seven runs across.

Peyton Lane led off the inning by reaching third on a throwing error and was brought in by Isaac Long with an RBI single.

Conner VanLannen and Colin Long hit RBI singles followed by a two-RBI single by Trent Weiss and a two-RBI double by Peyton Lane in his second plate appearance of the inning.

When the dust round home plate finally settled, Vincennes held a commanding 8-0 lead.

Olney Central would answer back, scoring two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to cut the deficit to 8-4.

VU got an insurance run in the seventh when VanLannen scored on a throwing error by the Blue Knights.

OCC would attempt a comeback, scoring two more runs in the eighth to make the score 9-6.

Parker Watts came out of the bullpen in the ninth and got the final three outs in just seven pitches to secure Vincennes' sixth win of the season.

"We obviously got off the bump on the right way, with Gehrig giving us six good innings," VU baseball coach Chris Barney said. "He had a little trouble in the fourth and fifth but worked his way through it. Offensively, we came through in some RBI situations and they gave us some opportunities, made a few mistakes and we were able capitalize on them."

"Colin Long has been a pleasant surprise for us, transferring in at the break. He played well defensively, made as good a play as you will see in college baseball in center field and has come around at the plate," Barney added. "Peyton Lane is anchoring the shortstop position down and swinging the bat well. Trent Weiss also had a two-out single to help break him out of his slump. Those guys hit 1-2-3 for us and they came through today."

Gehrig Tenhumberg had a nice day on the hill as the Trailblazers' starter. Tenhumberg lasted six innings, giving up five hits and four runs, while striking out seven.

Luke Osborn came out of the pen to throw two innings, giving up two runs on three hits.

Parker Watts closed out the game, pitching in the ninth and striking out the final batter the game looking.

"Gehrig gave us two quality shut down innings to start and that set the tone early for us," Barney said.

"We were able to hold on to our lead, our bullpen came in, Luke Osborn did a great job and Parker Watts comes in and gets a double play, gets the next batter out to end the game," Barney added. "We're excited for the weekend this is a great way to start it. Olney Central is a good quality club. We've got two more teams in here that are both D-I teams, so it's going to be a tough weekend for us."

Vincennes will return to the field tomorrow morning as they play four games in three days this weekend. VU will host South Suburban at Jerry Blemker Field at 10:30 a.m. followed by taking on Rend Lake at 6 p.m.

VU will be in action Sunday, March 7, when the Trailblazers host Olney Central again. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 2 p.m. eastern.

"The biggest thing for us is we just have to come ready to play and compete. We have to get used to playing four games in a weekend because that's what we do in conference and it's going to be a challenge for our guys. We're going to move some guys around to get them some work and try not to wear guys out this second weekend of playing and if we can do that and win this weekend, we'll be in great shape."

Olney Central  0 0 0   2 2 0    0 2 0  - 6 8 4

Vincennes (6-2)  1 0 7   0 0 0   1 0 x – 9 10 0

VINCENNES HITTING

2B – Colin Long, Peyton Lane. RBI – Colin Long, Trent Weiss 2, Peyton Lane 2, Isaac Lane, Conner VanLannen. R – Colin Long 2, Trent Weiss, Peyton Lane, Isaac Lane, Devon Rodgers, Garrett Lawson, Conner VanLannen 2. SB – Devon Rodgers. BB – Colin Long 2, Isaac Lane, Devon Rodgers 2, Conner VanLannen 2.