The Scarlet Hawks dropped both games against Elmhurst and Kalamazoo at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. With the losses, Illinois Tech falls back to the .500 mark at 2-2.
How It Happened
The game was a pitchers' duel early on, with both starting pitchers preventing any runs through the first four innings. Illinois Tech had opportunities, including a double in the top of the third by
Tyler Gutsfeld, but couldn't capitalize. Elmhurst found itself in similar situations, placing runners in scoring position multiple times, but
Carson Weis kept them off the scoreboard.
In the top of the sixth, Illinois Tech responded to Elmhurst's two-run inning with a five-run explosion. Gutsfeld, who had a standout performance, singled to start the inning. Singles from
Jonah Wilkes,
Jack Friar,
Carson Vrba, and a triple from
Lucas Waunn, propelled the Hawks to a 5-2 lead.
Elmhurst quickly answered, cutting the deficit to 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI triple from Ryan Smith and a sacrifice fly from Jack Mitchell. In the ninth, Elmhurst completed the comeback with a three-run rally, defeating the Scarlet Hawks 7-6.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Tyler Gutsfeld: 3-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. A constant threat at the plate and on the basepaths.
- Lucas Waunn: 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, and a stolen base.
- Carson Weis: Pitched six solid innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits while striking out four and keeping Illinois Tech in control for much of the game.
Inside the Box Score
Illinois Tech:
- Collected 11 hits, with Gutsfeld and Waunn leading the way.
- Left six runners on base, failing to fully capitalize on scoring opportunities.
- Alejandro Garcia took the loss, allowing three runs in 2.2 innings of relief.
Elmhurst:
- Totaled nine hits, with Ryan Smith leading the charge with three.
- Left six runners on base.
- Charlie Smith allowed five earned runs over 5.2 innings but kept Elmhurst in the game.
- Landon Banaszyns picked up the win with a strong ninth-inning performance, limiting Illinois Tech's chances for insurance runs.
Game 2
Kalamazoo College secured a commanding 14-3 victory over Illinois Tech in game two. Kalamazoo quickly set the tone, scoring seven runs by the end of the third inning.
Illinois Tech struggled to generate consistent offense, managing only four hits. The Hawks got on the board in the fifth when freshman
Jack Finch recorded his first collegiate hit with a line-drive solo home run. However, the deficit was too great to overcome, and Illinois Tech fell 14-3.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Jack Finch: Went 1-for-3 with a home run—his first career hit.
- Ethan Henry: Pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out two.
Inside the Box Score
Kalamazoo:
- Racked up 14 runs on 15 hits, including a home run from Caleb Moore and a triple from Ryan Rinehart.
- Jacob Davis (2-1) starred on the mound, throwing seven dominant innings, allowing only two hits, and striking out seven. He issued no walks and displayed excellent control throughout the game.
Illinois Tech:
- Limited to just four hits.
- The bullpen performed better overall, with Nico Carrillo, Ethan Henry, and Alec Weedman combining for 6.1 innings and limiting Kalamazoo's offense to just a few runs, but the early deficit proved insurmountable.
Up Next
Illinois Tech Baseball will look for revenge as they face Kalamazoo and Elmhurst again on Sunday, March 9, at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. The game against Kalamazoo is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the match up against Elmhurst to follow at 4 p.m.
