FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Game one, Indiana Tech broke the game open in the first three innings and handed Lawrence Tech a 9-1 loss. The decisive stretch came early, as Indiana Tech scored two runs in the first, two more in the second and then added five in the third to build a 9-0 lead that the Blue Devils could not overcome.
The opening blow came in the bottom of the first, with a two-run home run to left field that put Indiana Tech in front 2-0. Indiana Tech added to the margin in the second with a two-run double to right-center, extending the lead to 4-0. The hosts then delivered the game's biggest inning in the third, scoring five times. A two-run single in that frame, while a wild pitch and a throwing error helped Indiana Tech stretch the advantage to 9-0.
Lawrence Tech was limited to four hits and one walk over seven innings. The Blue Devils got on the board in the top of the fifth.
Andrew Gingle reached safely and later scored the team's lone run on an Indiana Tech error. Gingle finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and a hit by pitch, accounting for one of Lawrence Tech's better offensive lines on a day when the lineup struck out six times and left five runners on base. Lawrence Tech starter
Ethan Hochendoner took the loss, working 2 2/3 innings and allowing nine runs, eight earned, on six hits. Indiana Tech finished with six hits, five walks and four stolen bases, making the most of its opportunities despite only two more hits than the Blue Devils. Lawrence Tech committed one error, and Indiana Tech finished with two.
Game two, Indiana Tech broke open a close game with a five-run sixth inning and handed Lawrence Tech a 12-2 loss in seven innings. The decisive stretch came after the Blue Devils had trimmed the deficit to four runs, but a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth helped turn the game into a rout.
Lawrence Tech struck first in the top of the first.
Luke Weinberger singled, moved into scoring position and later came home on
Justin Baird's ground out for a 1-0 lead. Indiana Tech answered immediately with four runs in the bottom half. A two-run single, and stealing home pushed Indiana Tech in front 4-1 after one inning.
Indiana Tech added on in the third with a solo home run to left-center. Lawrence Tech got one run back in the fourth after
Ty Schornak singled and later scored on a throwing error by the second baseman, cutting the margin to 5-2. Indiana Tech then pushed the lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth before the game swung fully in the sixth.
Indiana Tech's five-run sixth was capped with a two-run shot to center. Lawrence Tech collected eight hits but managed only one walk and committed three errors. The Blue Devils left six runners on base.
They are set to compete against Indiana Tech again in Fort Wayne, Ind. April 25.
