Titans are dragged away by jackals in Doubleheader

May 16, 2024 – Frontier League (FL)
Ottawa Titans News Report

Ottawa Titans on game day
(Ottawa Titans)

Paterson, NJ – The Ottawa Titans (2-3) returned to the field for the first time since Sunday, falling on both sides of their doubleheader to the New Jersey Jackals (3-2) on Thursday, taking game one 2-0 dropped and game two 4-3.

Game 1 – New Jersey 2, Ottawa 0

In his first start of the season, Bryan Peña (loss, 0-1) dominated – going six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking four and striking out a season-high eight in the loss.

Having opportunities offensively, the Titans were unsuccessful with runners in scoring position in the opener – going 0-for-6 as a club. The lead was formed by leaving runners on the corners in the second, a runner on second in the fourth and a runner 100 feet away on third in the sixth inning.

In his professional debut, left-hander Jake Kuchmaner (win, 1-0) kept the Titans off the board with six innings of scoreless baseball.

The only runs of the game came from one swing of the bat in the fourth inning – when Camden Williamson took Peña over the right-center field wall for a two-run blast.

In the seventh, the Titans threatened against closer Roniel Raudes (save, 1) by putting the tying run on base with a pinch-hit double by Taylor Wright. However, Raudes and the Jackals escaped when AJ Wright grounded out to end the game.

Game 2: New Jersey 4, Ottawa 3

With two separate leads – Frank Nigro’s solo homer in the bottom of the sixth off Tyler Jandron (loss, 0-1) broke a 3-3 tie to help the Jackals sweep.

With veteran left-hander Joe Testa (win, 1-0) in a rhythm – Michael Fuhrman broke the ice with a solo jack to center in the third inning to give the Titans their first lead of the series.

The Jackals responded against Jandron in the second half – with three consecutive one-out hits – when Luis Acevedo drove in a Bryson Parks double with an RBI single.

In the fifth – the Titans again using the long ball – Laz Rivera launched a two-run homer off Testa to left, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead. For Rivera, it was his first home run since 2022, when he played for Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization.

Another rally – Edwin Tavarez tied the score with a two-run double down the left field line. The top four of the Jackals’ lineup contributed eight of the 10 hits in the Twin Bill’s nightcap.

The game remained tied until the last of the sixth, when Frank Nigro went the opposite way for a solo shot to put the Jackals ahead for good.

An attempt at a late comeback – Jackie Urbaez was at second with a double that represented the tying run – but the Titans failed to capitalize as Dazon Cole (save, 1) struck out to cap the sweep to complete.

The Ottawa Titans continue their season-opening road trip with the first of a three-game series against the Sussex County Miners on Friday evening at 7:05 PM from Skylands Stadium in Augusta, New Jersey. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94.5 Unique FM and streamed live on Flo Baseball. The Titans’ home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21 against the Tri-City ValleyCats at Ottawa Stadium.

For information on season tickets, group outings and nine-game mini packages, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.

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