It wasn’t the best week weather-wise for the Troy Christian baseball team, but they managed to split a pair of games, including their league opener.

Coach Tony Ferraro saw the Eagles fall to Greeneview 6-5 after they fell short in a valiant comeback attempt in the final inning. Then Troy Christian traveled to Middletown Christian for their Metro Buckeye Conference opener, where they cruised to a 9-2 victory.

Trailing 5-0 heading to the fourth against Greeneview, the Eagles scored when Jacob Williams singled, Chase Hayden was hit by a pitch and Williams scored on an error to put Troy Christian on the board.

Greeneview made it 6-1 in the fifth, and Troy Christian saw their bats come to life in their final at bat in the seventh, nearly pulling out the victory.

John Slone walked to lead things off, Jacob Brown singled and Cameron Davee bb to load the bases. Peyton Forrer then drove in a run with a single, Williams added an RBI single, Hayden then walked to drive in another run. Louden Saulbeamer made it 6-5 with a run scoring single, and the bases were loaded with one out. Greeneview then retired the last two guys to end the game.

“The key was out players did not let down,” Ferraro said of his team’s battle in the seventh. “We were as aggressive in the seventh as we were the rest of the game. The kids did not want to quit and they fought through despite the cold weather.”

Brown led Troy Christian with three hits, while Williams added two.

Sam Kirkpatrick pitched five innings for the Eagles, allowing ten hits and six runs.

“Greeneview gets the credit, they hit the ball all day long,” Ferraro said. “They had ten clean hits and we didn’t make many mistakes.”

Also last week, Troy Christian defeated Middletown Christian 9-2 and scored early to get the lead.

In the second inning, Hayden reached on a fielders choice, and later scored on a single from Andrew Strait to take a 1-0 lead.

Slone scored in the third to make to 2-0, but Middletown Christian tied the game in the third.

In the fourth, Hayden and Saulbeamer both singled, and Strait walked to load the bases. Douglas was hit by a pitch to drive in a run, then Brown drove in two with a single and Williams had a two-run double.

Troy Christian capped the scoring in the sixth, as Slone reached on an error, Davee walked and Hayden drove both in with a double.

Brown again had three hits, Hayden and Saulbeamer each added two.

Williams pitched a complete game allowing four hits with six strikeouts.

“He was in total command of the game,” Ferraro said. “He had a great breaking ball and rising fastball.”

“Brown is hitting the ball extremely well so far,” he added. “He has 10 hits in the first five games and has picked it up from last year.”