Trailblazers Split Home Opener with Schoolcraft

VINCENNES, Ind. — Vincennes University Baseball split its home-opening doubleheader Sunday at Jerry Blemker Field, earning a 5–4 walk-off victory in game one before falling 13–2 in the nightcap. The Trailblazers move to 1-5 overall on the season.

Game One: Vincennes 5, Schoolcraft 4 (Walk-Off)

VU showcased timely hitting and strong relief pitching to secure its first win of the year. Sophomore Eastin Whaley started and worked 4.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. Freshman Parker Clarida bridged to freshman Drake Hoffa, who delivered 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to earn his first collegiate win.

Head Coach Chris Barney, in his 18th season at the helm, praised the effort. "It was great to get a win behind the pitching of Whaley and Hoffa, who picked up his first collegiate win in relief," Barney said. "We had four different hitters drive in runs in game one and played really good defense."

Freshman Ethan Papalios went 2-for-3 in the opener, continuing his strong start to the season. Sophomore Jevan Andrews drove in a run, freshman Tannar Patterson added an RBI, freshman Ryan Crawford contributed a run batted in, and freshman Matthew Everroad delivered a sacrifice fly. With the game tied 4–4 in the seventh, VU capitalized on a Schoolcraft error to bring home the winning run and secure the walk-off victory.

Game Two: Schoolcraft 13, Vincennes 2

The Trailblazers again showed fight in the nightcap, battling back to tie the game 2–2 through three innings. Freshman Ethan Papalios stayed hot at the plate, finishing the day 4-for-6 across both games with two RBIs and a home run. In game two, he homered and drove in both VU runs. Freshman Tannar Patterson added two hits, and freshman Ryan Crawford recorded a double.

Despite early momentum, VU was unable to contain Schoolcraft's offense over the middle innings. Relievers worked out of difficult spots at times, but the Trailblazers allowed multiple three- and four-run frames as the visitors pulled away.

"Our hitters had a chance in the first inning to blow the game open with the bases loaded and one out, and we came away with just one run," Barney said. "We battled and tied it 2–2, and our relievers did a great job getting out of jams, but we couldn't sustain it inning to inning. Allowing those three- and four-run innings hurt us."

Freshman Grayson Reichert started game two, with freshman Talan Meyers taking the loss in relief. Freshman Jacob Tenbarge, sophomore Cole Trevino, freshman Palmer Schiff, and freshman Jackson Bauer also saw time on the mound as VU continued to evaluate arms early in the season.

"We need to bounce back tomorrow and pick up two wins to get the series," Barney added.

Vincennes returns to Jerry Blemker Field on Monday, February 16, for day two of their matchup against Schoolcraft College beginning at 11 a.m. EST.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Baseball squad all year long through a number of ways:

• X (formerly Twitter): @VUTrailblazers | @VU_BlazerBSBL
• Facebook: Vincennes University Athletics
• Instagram: @VincennesUTrailblazers
• Youtube (live & on demand content): BlazerVision
• Website: https://govutrailblazers.com