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Gutsfield vs Beloit
4
Illinois Tech ILLINOIS 1-3
9
Winner Beloit BELOIT 1-1
Illinois Tech ILLINOIS
1-3
4
Final
9
Beloit BELOIT
1-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Illinois Tech ILLINOIS 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 11 5
Beloit BELOIT 0 0 4 0 1 1 1 2 X 9 12 0

W: A. Phipps (1-1) L: Bracewell, Cameron (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Jami Sponaugle

Baseball Falls in First Game of RussMatt Invitational

Davenport, Fla. - The Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks baseball team began their 2024 Spring Break trip in Davenport, Fla. as they took on the Beloit College Buccaneers in their first game of the RussMatt Invitational. The Hawks (1-4) led the Buccaneers (2-1) early, but starting in the third inning, the Buccaneers found their offensive stride and took the lead for the remainder of the game. After the nine innings of action, the Buccaneers defeated the Hawks 9-4. 

Beloit 9 - Illinois Tech 4

  • The Hawks wasted no time getting on the board as they took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Matthew Bove, the lead off hitter, got on base after being walked. With one out, Michael Paxson doubled down the left field line, sending Bove to third. Then, in a fielder's choice situation, Bove would be thrown out at home, but Connor Blake would reach first and Paxson would stay on second. Sam Sproule then singled to center field, allowing Paxson to score. On the same play, Blake would be thrown out at third. At the end of the first inning the Hawks led 1-0. 

  • After a scoreless second inning, both sides would go on to score runs in the third. In the top of the inning, Timmy Old led off with a single to center field. After one out, Old stole second with Tyler Gutsfield up to bat. Old then advanced to third on a Gutsfield ground out. A Paxon double down the left field line brought in Old for the first run of the inning. Blake followed with a single to left center, allowing Paxson to score. The Hawks led 3-0 at the end of the top of the third. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Buccaneers found some offense in the bottom half of the inning. With the bases covered, a double to right center by Matt O'Leary brought in the Buccaneers first two runs of the game. Following the double, a single by Connor Vogel to right field scored two runners, giving the Buccaneers a 4-3 lead.

  • Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Buccaneers extended their lead by one with a run in the bottom of the fifth. In a bases loaded situation, a single by Jack Alport brought in an unearned run, putting the Buccaneers up 5-3.  

  • In the sixth inning the Buccaneers scored off an unearned run, putting them ahead 6-3. 

  • During the seventh inning, the Hawks recorded their last run of the game. With Gutsfield on first after a single, Paxson doubled to left field. Gutsfield would score, giving the Hawks their fourth run as they trailed the Buccaneers 6-4. In the bottom half of the inning, the Buccaneers went back ahead by three after Blake Nelson doubled down the right field line to score Elijah Love. At the end of the seventh inning, the Buccaneers led 7-4. 

  • The Buccaneers scored their final runs of the game in the bottom of the eighth off a Brett Kiger 2-run home run, giving the Buccaneers the 9-4 victory. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

  • Michael Paxson - Went 4-for-5 with 3 doubles and 1 triple, 2 RBI's, and 2 runs. 

Buccaneers Standouts

  • Matt O'Leary - Went 4-for-5 with 1 double, 2 RBI's, 2 runs, and a stolen base

  • Jack Alport - Went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI, 1 run, and a stolen base

Up Next

The Hawks immediately return to action tomorrow, Sunday, March 10 as they play in a double header against Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Anderson University. The Hawks take on RIT at 8:00 AM CT (9:00 AM ET) followed by Anderson at 11:30 AM CT (12:30 PM ET). Both games will take place in Auburndale, Fla. at Lake Myrtle Park on field 1.

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