July 14, 2022

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Trois-Rivières, Que. - Having a pair of two-run leads in the late innings, the Ottawa Titans (35-20) dropped a 12-10 heartbreaker in extras to the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Thursday.

Electing to use an opener, Matt Valin and Matt Terrones tossed two shutout innings the first time through the order.

Scoreless through four and a half, the Aigles jumped out in front with a run off the bat of Connor Panas (Etobicoke, Ont.).

The Titans’ offence was unable to generate much against right-hander Osman Gutierrez through six.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Aigles loaded the bases against Jose Taveras, as LP Pelletier (Montreal, Que.) stepped in. Hitting north of .350 against the Titans this season, Pelletier belted a grand slam over the wall in centre to make it 5-0. Next, Panas blasted a solo shot to extend the lead.

Sending nine to the plate in the top of the seventh, the Titans’ offence broke through with five runs. Clay Fisher, Jake Sanford (Cole Harbour, N.S.), Tyrus Greene, and Jason Dicochea got the visitors back in the game with runs driven in.

Taylor Wright (Vancouver, B.C.) tied the score with a solo shot to lead off the eighth. Two batters later, Jackie Urbaez gave the Titans the lead with a two-run homer.

Ahead 8-6 heading to the ninth, the Titans turned to Kevin Escorcia for the final three outs. As the All-Star had the Aigles down to their final out, Raphael Gladu (Trios-Rivières, Que.) made it a one-run game by reaching on an E6. Canice Ejoh (Toronto, Ont.) tied the game with a bloop single to right, knotting the game at eight.

The blown save for Escorcia brought on extras, where the Titans retook the lead with back-to-back RBI doubles from Urbaez and Fisher.

Ahead 10-8, Nelson Gonzalez was given the opportunity to close out the game. Panas’ third RBI of the game scored the start-up runner at second before Pelletier scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. As the 10th continued, Carlos Martinez provided the walk-off heroics, belting a two-run shot to win the game for the Aigles.

In the loss, Clay Fisher amazed offensively by going 4-for-6 with three RBIs. The Titans used a total of seven arms, getting a series split.

The Titans return home to open a three-game set against the Quebec Capitales on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.