AUSTIN, Tex. (CCCTigers.com) – The Central Christian College of Kansas Baseball team opened their 2025 campaign this past weekend with a four game series down in Austin, Texas against Huston-Tillotson University .For the Tigers, this was some of the first action they had outside due to winter weather still being prevalent in McPherson.
Game 1, W 10-0 (BOX SCORE)
The Tigers had no problem making solid contact and finding holes against the Rams in Game 1. 10 runs came across on 12 hits for the Tigers, highlighted by a three run third inning where Mason Dean knocked in two runs with a single to right. The Tigers were also deadly on the basepaths, tallying 5 stolen bases as a team. Kurt Ippolito also went 3 for 4 with an rbi and 3 stolen bases.
Nick Julian got the start for the Tigers in Game 1. He was untouchable going 6 strong innings while striking out 6, walking three and allowing no runs to come across. Matt Gorham came on in the 7th inning to close it out for the Tigers and struck out one without allowing a run to cap off a solid start to 2025 for the Tigers.
Game 2, L 12-10 (BOX SCORE)
Game 2 was an offensive slugfest with 22 runs being scored on 22 hits by both teams. The Tigers got the scoring started with a Bo Daniel single that scored Kurt Ippolito. Jostin Disla took the mound for the Tigers in game 2. The Rams got to Disla quickly with a 3-run homerun to take a 3-1 lead after 1. The back and forth scoring continued and the Rams held a 9-5 lead going into the 5th inning.
After multiple 2-rbi singles and multiple HTU errors, the Tigers scored 5 runs to take a 10-9 lead after the top of the 5th. The Tigers would surrender 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th on multiple hits. The Tiger offense could not respond and the Rams would even up the series with the win.
Game 3, L 11-3 (BOX SCORE)
Robert White was called upon to start the first game on Saturday for the Tigers. The Rams offense woke up and they tagged White for 7 runs across 1 2/3 innings. Despite 10 hits, the only Tiger runs came from a Bo Daniel rbi single and a 2 run homerun from Braedon Ulrich in the 7th inning. The Tigers would look to bounce back in the final game of the series to even it up.
Game 4, W 10-3 (BOX SCORE)
Junior Nick Clayson toed the rubber in the final game of the series and delivered 3 1/3 strong innings, only giving up three runs while striking out four and walking three. The Tigers offense picked up where it left off last game. A solid second inning from the Tigers kicked off with a 2 run homerun from James Perales followed by a rbi double from Mason Dean. They would tack on 3 more runs in the 3rd inning to extend their lead to 7-0. After allowing 3 runs across the next two 2 innings, the Tiger bullpen closed out the game strong as Armando Aguilar tossed 2 innings allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out two. Quentin Fears was also solid, allowing no runs and striking out two batters.
With the split, the Tigers are 2-2 on the young season and turn their attention to University of the Southwest as they go down to Hobbs, New Mexico this weekend for a four game series with the Mustangs.