Albion sneaks past Titans

The Tri-County Titan seniors were back in action Thursday, July 18, in Verdigre, after a two-week layoff due to 4th of July weekend and junior legion area tournaments. It was double-header night in Verdigre, so each game was only five innings.

The first game pitted Tri-County vs. Albion. Albion defeated the Titans, 5-1.

In the nightcap, it was Creighton/Bloomfield vs. Albion, and Albion, once again, came out on top, 6-2.

The Titans used "pitcher-by-committee" for this game in preparation for the district tournament. Wyatt Shabram was Tri-County's starting pitcher, throwing two and one-third scoreless innings, scattering two hits and one error, with three strikeouts. Jake Schroeder was the next pitcher, throwing two-thirds of an inning. He allowed four runs on two hits, four walks and two strikeouts.

A.J. Hobbs was the final Titan pitcher, throwing two innings. He allowed one run on one hit, one walk, with three strikeouts.

At the plate, the Titans were aggressive hitters with the top of the lineup reaching base successfully numerous times, but too many times runners were left stranded or thrown out on the bases.

Coach Jeff Shabram said, "Albion is a very solid team (19-6 record) and the Titan seniors competed hard both offensively and defensively."

Tri-County game stats:

Connor Thomson: 2-3 batting, 1 run.

Shabram: 2-3 batting.

Ryan Rifer: 2-3 batting, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

Hobbs: 1-1 batting, 1 BB.

Pavlik: 0-2 batting.

Isaac Hoferer: 0-1 batting.

Max Bruce: 0-1 batting.

Schroeder: 0-2 batting.

Riley Saul 0-2 batting.

Kaiden Bauer 0-2 batting.