Troy, NY – The Ottawa Titans (41-28) used a Clay Fisher eighth-inning solo shot to hold off a late Tri-City ValleyCats attack to take the middle game of a three-game series 7-6 on Wednesday night.

For a second straight night, the Titans threatened in the first against ValleyCats lefty Ryan Williamson (loss, 2-4), loading up the bases. Dane Tofteland reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing home Jackie Urbaez to make it 1-0. After leading off the game with a free pass, Urbaez has reached base safely in 25 consecutive games.

Tyler Jandron (win, 7-3) took to the hill on Wednesday night with an early lead, that was short-lived as Denis Phipps’ two-run shot put the ValleyCats in front. Phipps’ league-leading 25th of the season put the home side ahead 2-1 after one.

Jake Sanford and AJ Wright recorded back-to-back one-out hits in the third off Williamson, who bounced back by striking out Tofteland for the second out. The bottom of the Titans’ order came through with a trio of two-out singles from Fisher, Jason Dicochea, and Tyrus Greene to pull ahead.

Ahead 4-2, Tyler Jandron locked in and retired ten in a row from the second through the sixth. The Titans’ offence fed off the energy of their starter to tack on two more in the top half of the fifth, with Dicochea and Greene each knocking in their second of the night to make it 6-2.

In the sixth, Austin Bernard reached on an E5 and later came around on a Cito Culver double to cut into the deficit at 6-3.

Following two shutout innings from Jose Cruz, Carson McCusker belted his second solo shot in as many days, making it a 6-4 game.

With Cruz back out for the eighth, Fisher gave the Titans one last bit of insurance with a solo shot over the fence in left. Fisher’s fifth big fly of the season came off the first pitch of the frame.

With the extended lead, Pavin Parks belted a two-run shot to narrow the Titans’ lead to one. The homer brought the end of the line for Jandron, who finished with seven and a third innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits, walking one, and striking out a season-high ten in the win.

Gavin Sonnier guided the Titans’ one-run lead to the ninth, as Kevin Escorcia took over for the save opportunity. The lefty surrendered a pair of one-out singles, bringing the potential tying and winning runs into scoring position. With the infield in, Escorcia managed to get Bernard to pop out before Culver grounded out to close out the game.

The Ottawa Titans return to action for the series finale tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. against the Tri-City ValleyCats from Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Following the series, the Titans return home on Friday for the first of a nine-game home stand to take on the Sussex County Miners.

For information on Ottawa Titans’ 2022 season tickets, group outings, and 8-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.

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