Cerny's three hits help Titans to win
The Ottawa Titans beat the New England Knockouts 5-4 on Sunday. Photo: Ottawa Titans
May 12, 2024
Official Ottawa Titans News Release
Brockton, Mass. - In a back-and-forth series finale, the Ottawa Titans squeezed out a 5-4 victory over the New England Knockouts on Sunday, winning the rubber match of their opening series of the 2024 campaign.
Both starters, Grant Larson and Liam O'Sullivan, were locked in early on - cruising through their first outings of the season.
The Knockouts struck first in the second on an RBI single from Ramon Jimenez - cashing in Luis Atiles, who had singled earlier in the frame and got into scoring position with a scoring base.
In the fourth, the Titans jumped out in front 2-1 with a two-run homer from Jamey Smart.
Jake Boone's first hit of the season cleared the left-field wall against Larson for a solo homer, tying the game at two in the fifth.
Done after six, Larson tossed a quality start - allowing two earned on five hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out five in the no decision.
The rubber match stayed tied until the eighth when the Titans loaded the bases against Brad VanAsdlen. With nobody out - AJ Wright and Christian Ibarra each brought home one with sacrifice flies - putting the Titans up 4-2.
Scrappy all series offensively - the Knockouts tied the score against Matt Voelker in the bottom half of the eighth. With two in scoring position, an RBI groundout from Jalen Garcia made it a one-run game before a wild pitch brought home the tying run.
The Titans loaded the bases for the second straight frame, this time against Reeves Martin with one away. Victor Cerny put the visitors in front for good with an infield single to short - scoring Jake Sanford (Cole Harbour, N.S.) to make it 5-4.
Erasmo Piñales picked up his second save of the season by working a clean ninth inning.
In the win, Laz Rivera and Victor Cerny (Winnipeg, Man.) each had three hits - while Jamey Smart had a pair of knocks, including his first long ball of the season.
With off days on Monday and Tuesday, the Ottawa Titans continue their season-opening road trip with the first of a two-game series against the New Jersey Jackals on Wednesday morning at 11:35 a.m. from Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.