Chicago, ILL Illinois Tech and Edgewood battled on NACC opening day with a doubleheader at Ed Glancy Field. Each team was able to leave with a victory as Illinois Tech rallied late to win the opener 10-6, while Edgewood responded with an explosive third inning to dominate the second game 12-2. Both teams now hold identical 5-8 records and are 1-1 in NACC play.
Game 1: Illinois Tech 10, Edgewood 6
How It Happened
Illinois Tech wasted no time grabbing the lead in Game 1, as
Tyler Gutsfeld launched a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning, scoring
Jack Friar. Who singled to start the contest. Edgewood answered in the third when a lead off error later scored on an RBI double from Terry Tolliver Jr. Jacob Carney followed with a single to left, bringing in Tolliver to tie the game at 2-2.
Illinois Tech briefly regained the lead in the fourth inning when
Luke Yachnin singled home Mathew Bove with two outs, but Edgewood struck back in the fifth. Hayden Hellenbrad led off with a single and later came around to score on another RBI hit by Tolliver. After a series of singles and walks, Edgewood plated three runs in the inning, but did squander a chance for more as
Alejandro Garcia came out of the pen for the Hawks and induced an inning ending double play. The teams traded runs over the sixth and seventh, and Edgewood entered the bottom of the eighth inning ahead 6-5.
That lead didn't last, as Illinois Tech's offense erupted.
Jack Finch started the rally with a single through the right side of the infield. Then the Hawks played small ball as Bove reached on a bunt,
Lucas Waunn worked a walk and Yachnin dropped down and reached on a suicide squeeze which tied the game at six. After a strikeout and with the bases still loaded, Friar ripped a triple down the line, clearing the bases and giving Illinois Tech a 9-6 advantage. Gutsfeld followed with an RBI double to add insurance.
John Gori pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the comeback victory for Illinois Tech.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Inside the Box Score
- Illinois Tech had 13 hits, matching Edgewood's total.
- Edgewood left nine runners on base, missing key opportunities.
- Illinois Tech used four pitchers, with Austin Schnurr getting the win and John Gori securing the save.
Game 2: Edgewood 12, Illinois Tech 2 (7 innings)
How It Happened
Edgewood's offense exploded in the third inning, putting up nine runs to take complete control of the game. Jacob Carney got things started with a two-run single to left field. Brevin Brisack followed with a two-run single of his own, and an error by the right fielder allowed another run to cross the plate. Ryan Ambrosy continued the damage with a two-run single of his own to right field, and Edgewood took advantage of a balk and a wild pitch to push the lead to 9-0 by the end of the frame
Edgewood added another run in the sixth and two more in the seventh pushing the lead to 12-0.
Illinois Tech's only offense came in the bottom of the seventh when
Jack Friar doubled to left center, driving in
Luke Yachnin and Mathew Bove. However, the late effort wasn't enough to extend the game, as Edgewood's dominant performance secured the run-rule victory.
Scarlet Hawk Satndouts
Inside the Box Score
- Edgewood capitalized on four Illinois Tech errors, leading to multiple unearned runs.
- Edgwood's Aiden Shumaker got the win and was dominate with a line of 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 10 K
- Edgewood stole five bases, keeping pressure on the Hawk's defense
Up Next
Baseball jumps right back on the field tomorrow Sunday March 23
rd with a non-conference match up against North Central College at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream, IL
