PORTSMOUTH, OH - The IU Columbus Crimson Pride endured a challenging weekend on the road, dropping all three games in their series against Shawnee State at Branch Rickey Park. The team's record fell to 9-31 overall and 2-16 in conference play after a heartbreaking finale that saw them lose on a ninth-inning error.
Game 1: SSU 9, IUC 6
In Friday's opener, the Crimson Pride fell 9-6 despite showing resilience after falling behind early. Shawnee State jumped to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning, with Jace Parnin delivering a devastating three-run triple to right-center field.
The Crimson Pride clawed back with two runs in the second inning when Ethan Guire reached on a fielder's choice that plated both Johnny Sewell and Lucas Slager, with the second run coming courtesy of a Shawnee State error.
IU Columbus continued to battle, adding single runs in the fifth and eighth innings, but the highlight came in the sixth when Cyrus Robinson blasted a two-run homer to right field, bringing the Crimson Pride within striking distance.
However, Shawnee State answered with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by Nolan Tressler's three-run triple, putting the game out of reach. Robinson finished with three RBIs while starter Gavin Haltom worked five innings, allowing nine hits and giving up five runs (five earned).
Game 2: SSU 11, IUC 1
Saturday's first game saw the Pride struggle from the outset, falling 11-1 in an eight-inning contest. Shawnee State built an early 7-0 lead through three innings against starter Caleb Richards, who lasted just two innings.
The lone bright spot for IU Columbus came in the sixth inning when John Codner drove in Brevin Barker with a groundout to second base. Codner led the offense with two hits, including a double, while Jack VonDielingen added two hits of his own.
Relief pitcher Riley Mertl provided some stability, working 5.1 innings and allowing four runs, but the Crimson Pride's offense couldn't generate enough momentum to mount a comeback against Shawnee State's Jakobe Reese, who limited IU Columbus to three hits over six innings.
Game 3: SSU 3, IUC 2
The series finale on Saturday afternoon provided the most dramatic and painful loss of the weekend. After building a 2-0 lead in the third inning, the Crimson Pride watched their advantage slowly slip away before ultimately falling 3-2 on a ninth-inning error.
IU Columbus struck first when Jack VonDielingen doubled home Wyatt Sutton in the third inning, then followed with another run when Cyrus Robinson drove in VonDielingen with a double down the right field line.
Starter Brayden Furnish delivered a strong performance, working 6.1 innings while allowing just two runs. Shawnee State managed to tie the game in the seventh inning on Wyatt Haupt's solo home run to right-center field.
The heartbreak came in the bottom of the ninth when, with runners at first and third, Mason Reid hit a fly ball to right field. The sacrifice fly brought home Nolan Tressler, but an error by shortstop Wyatt Sutton on the relay allowed the winning run to score, sending the Crimson Pride to their third straight defeat.
Looking Ahead
Despite the losses, the Crimson Pride showed flashes of quality play. The team will look to rebound in their next conference match-up as they continue to search for consistency in the final stretch of the season. IUC returns to action Friday (Apr. 18) at Midway University. Friday is a single game, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday. The first pitch on Friday is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM.
