The Dallas Titans used a five-run fifth inning and steady pitching to secure a 9-2 win over the Texas Rumble Ponies on Thursday at McInnish Park.
The Titans struck early with two runs in the first inning as Brenden Monroe reached on a fielder’s choice and Steven Baker added an RBI single. After a quiet stretch, the Titans broke the game open in the fifth, stringing together a series of productive at-bats. Steely Gill and Baker each drove in runs, Greg Kolesar added a sacrifice opportunity, and Jeff Hanley capped the rally with a two-run triple.
Monroe earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits over six innings while striking out five. Chris McPike took the loss for Texas Rumble Ponies, surrendering eight runs on eight hits across four innings.
Offensively, the Titans collected nine hits and showed patience throughout the lineup, drawing eight walks. Hanley led the way with three RBIs, going 2-for-3, while Korey Gillespie went a perfect 3-for-3. Gill added two hits, and Jacob Calderon, Bernie Garces, and Baker each reached base twice via walks. Dallas also played clean defense, committing no errors.
The Rumble Ponies collected multiple multi-hit performances from David Fockler, Jake Marrow, and Max Godfrey, but were unable to keep pace after Dallas’ fifth-inning surge.