Tiffin University (0-5) took on defending G-MAC champion Trevecca Nazarene at the NFCA Challenge, and it came down to a wild 7th inning that went against the Dragons in the final at-bat in a 6-5 loss.
The Dragons led the entire game, holding a 1-0 lead in the first, a 3-1 lead in the 3rd and a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the 7th before the decision went against them.
Tiffin opened the first inning by taking advantage of defensive errors by TNU, as Kate-Lynn Urgo reached on an error at shortstop, was sacrificed to second, and then came around on an error by the pitcher.
TU took a two-run lead in the third inning, as Urgo and Libby Crow singled followed by Jamie Sevenish reaching on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Michelle Poe then singled for 2 RBI as TU stayed in control.
After TNU tied the score in the bottom of the 5th, the Dragons rallied in the 7th. Sevenish opened with a double and a Poe walk. Allyson Rock then sacrificed both runners up to set the table for Sierra Besser-Paul. She responded with a single and RBI followed by Samantha Ringwalt's fielder's choice to third base. The third baseman threw out the runner coming home, but the catcher then threw the ball away to allow pinch runner Emily Williams to also score.
The Dragons entered the bottom of the 7th needing three outs for the win, but TNU loaded the bases with one out on a single, walk, and hit batter. Another single off relief pitcher Tiffany Snell tied the score. Following an infield single that loaded the bases again, a ball was hit to shortstop Brooke Lambert who fired home a hair late as the runner slid underneath the tag to give TNU the win.
Libby Crow led TU with 3 hits, while Sevenish added 2 hits with a double. Poe had 2 RBI and Besser-Paul another RBI.
Kimmy Reynolds pitched well over her 4 innings of work, allowing just 3 hits and 1 earned run and battling through 5 walks. Snell took the loss, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing 8 hits and 5 earned runs.
TU is now off until their spring break trip to Clermont, Florida, where the Dragons will play 12 games starting Feb. 26 against Gannon and Michigan-Dearborn.