2 weeks Ago By SAM FICARRO The Columbus Telegram
Twin River senior Eli Slizoski swings the bat to hit a two-run double against Fairbury on April 17, 2025, at Genoa City Park. GENOA — Twin River baseball sought to snap a season-long three-game losing streak Thursday versus Fairbury at Genoa City Park. After falling behind 3-0, the Titans took the lead on a five-run third inning.
They maintained the lead entering the seventh inning, but walks and timely hits by the Jeffs led to a seven-run frame and an 11-8 defeat for the Titans. "Not good. Just didn't compete.
Had a lead," Twin River head coach Aaron Rinkol said. "Can't throw strikes. End of the game, just gave them too many free bases and snowball effect.
" Twin River walked 13 Jeffs and allowed just seven hits. Fairbury hit a three-run home run in the second inning after two walks. In the fifth, it scored a run on a bases-loaded walk.
The Jeffs scored seven runs on four walks, four hits and one hit by pitch in the seventh. They trimmed the deficit to 8-6 on a two-run single after two walks and one single. Titans senior Paydon Rinkol throws a pitch versus Fairbury on April 17, 2025, at Genoa City Park.
A walk, RBI sac fly and hit by pitch reloaded the bases with one out in an 8-7 game. A two-run single propelled Fairbury into the lead. After another free pass, Fairbury laced its third two-run single of the inning to take an 11-8 lead.
Twin River senior Paydon Rinkol started the game on the mound and pitched 4 and 1/3 innings. Paydon allowed four runs on three hits and eight walks to go with three strikeouts. In relief, junior Brayden Santos allowed five runs on two hits and four walks in 1 and 2/3 innings.
Santos struck out three Jeff hitters. Titans junior Colsten Rodriguez completed the seventh inning allowing two runs on two hits and one walk. "It's been a problem for us all season.
Just inconsistency," Aaron said. "We got to have guys that get out there and want the ball and just throw strikes. It shouldn't be that hard to do.
" Twin River junior Aden Feezell slides into third base safely against Fairbury on April 17, 2025, at Genoa City Park. Twin River's middle-of-the-order hitters comprised the majority of the Titan offense hitting a combined 9-for-16. After hitting 1-for-23 entering Thursday, Titans senior Eli Slizoski led the offense hitting 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Slizoski broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the third with a two-run double to right. The senior laced an RBI single in the fifth to restore Twin River's two-run advantage. Titans junior Aden Feezell, senior Garrett Alexander and sophomore Braxtin Fowler recorded two hits each.
Twin River tied the game in the third on a two-run error that scored Santos and Paydon. A single by Alexander and an error pulled the score even at 3-3. In the fifth, Fowler scored on a double steal of home to make it 7-4.
The Titans tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on a Feezell RBI single. "Some of the guys their bats kind of came alive (Thursday), especially in the bottom half of the order. Eli Slizoski's been struggling all year, but had two really good hits to right center," Aaron said.
"His approach was a lot better (Thursday). A lot of different guys. Just consistently, we just couldn't put enough together.
We had that one good inning, but that was about it." Titans sophomore Braxtin Fowler slides into home plate on a successful stolen base versus Fairbury on April 17, 2025, at Genoa City Park. Twin River returned the majority of last year's squad, including four of its top five hitters and its top two pitchers.
"A good group of kids. Just a decent amount of seniors this year finally. The last four years I've been coaching, five seniors on a team is by far the most we've had," Aaron said.
"A lot of good leadership. When things get down, they try to have accountability for everybody and trying to keep things together especially in tough times right now." That growth was on display to start the season as the Titans began the year 4-1 with wins over Thurston-Cuming County, Raymond Central, Centennial and Tekamah-Herman.
They defeated TCC in extra innings 6-5, beat the Mustangs 4-2, the Broncos 11-3 and the Tigers 14-3. "We had a lot of energy. Thurston-Cuming County we knew was going to be a tough game.
We got that win and I think that gave us some confidence. Ran into Ralston, which they're going to be tough," Aaron said. "Again that game we couldn't throw a strike and gave up too many free bases.
Felt good and then this week got rough on us. Hopefully we regroup and go get them next week." Twin River senior Garrett Alexander hits a single against Fairbury on April 17, 2025, at Genoa City Park.
Twin River dropped to 4-5 after Thursday's defeat. It'll play at Wayne on Tuesday with six games remaining in the regular season. "Just come back next week, get focused up.
We got a tough one versus Wayne on Tuesday," Aaron said. "We got some arms that are a little sore, so hopefully give them a little bit of rest and then come back fighting next week." Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sports Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
.
