The Three Rivers College Raiders got the baseball season off to a strong start as they took two of three in a Sunday-Monday series with the Trojans of North Iowa Area Community College.

The Raiders swept a doubleheader from NIACC Sunday, taking the opener 6-5 in walkoff fashion and winning the nightcap 5-3.

"I was very pleased with how we handled opening day," Three Rivers coach Tyler Smith said. "Our pitchers challenged in the zone consistently and we defended well. When we can be competitive in the strike zone, our pitchers can do well against any offense."

The Trojans outslugged Three Rivers to take Monday's series finale, winning 12-11.

In Sunday's opener, the Raiders trailed 5-3 going to the bottom of the seventh, but quickly loaded the bases. With one out, Peyton Nelson singled home Jordan Kelly and Gavin Jansen to tie the game at 5-5. After Logan McIntyre was intentionally walked to reload the bases, Charlie Parker came home from third base on a wild pitch with the winning run.

It was the second inning in a row Three Rivers had rallied to tie the game to take the lead. Eli Marvin — who also was at the plate when Parker later scored the game-winner — hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 3-3.

Kole Turner got the win in Sunday's opener after allowing one run in the seventh inning. Carson Webb tossed two-plus innings in relief ahead of Turner, also pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth.

Marvin and Nelson each had a pair of hits in Game 1 and drove in two runs apiece.

In Sunday's nightcap, the Raiders scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to snap a 1-1 tie and take control of the contest.

Jansen had two hits to lead the offense, while Nate Rhew earned the win in relief, allowing four hits and two runs in two innings of work while striking out two and walking one. Jorden Eaton tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the save.

In Monday's nine-inning contest, the visiting Trojans scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning as they rallied from an 11-5 deficit.

"I really liked how we competed throughout the game," Smith said. "We had a miscue or two late in the game that ended up costing us. (It was a) great learning experience early for us to learn from."

Nelson had three hits in the loss, while Marvin added a pair. Trent Buchanan homered and drove in three runs, while McIntyre drove in two.

Three Rivers is slated to make the trip to Dyersburg (Tenn.) State Wednesday.

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic