Crestwood, ILL – Illinois Tech completed the Bloomington Baseball Tri-Match (relocated to Ozinga Field in Crestwood due to playing conditions) on Sunday with games against Kalamazoo and Elmhurst. The Hawks were unable to gain momentum throughout the day, dropping both games and falling to 2-4 on the young season.
Game 1: Kalamazoo 10, Illinois Tech 0
How It Happened
Kalamazoo jumped on Illinois Tech early and never looked back, cruising to a 10-0 victory. The Hornets opened the scoring in the first inning when Caleb Moore launched a two-run homer to left-center. The fourth inning proved to be the decisive blow, as the Hornets exploded for six runs, pushing the lead to 10. Illinois Tech failed to mount a comeback and dropped Game 1, 10-0, in seven innings.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Michael Paxson – Collected one of the team's four hits with a double.
- Timmy Old – Added another extra-base hit with a double.
Inside the Box Score
- Carson Orvis' gem of 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 9 K, 0 BB.
- Illinois Tech recorded three extra-base hits.
Game 2: Elmhurst 12, Illinois Tech 3
How It Happened
Elmhurst jumped ahead early with a five-run second inning. A bases-loaded walk plated the first run before Brett Vercruyss cleared the bases with a three-run double, later scoring on an error to make it 5-0.
Illinois Tech responded in the third when
Phillip Bentz's two-run single cut the deficit to 5-2. However, Elmhurst continued to apply pressure, adding a solo home run in the fourth.
Jack Friar made it 6-3 in the fifth with an RBI double, but Elmhurst sealed the game with a late offensive surge, scoring six runs in the final three innings to defeat the hawks, 12-3.
Illinois Tech Standouts
- Michael Paxson – Collected four hits in five at-bats, consistently getting on base despite the loss.
- Jack Friar – Drove in a run with a key double and also added a walk.
- Phillip Bentz – Provided Illinois Tech's biggest offensive moment with a two-RBI single.
- Gabriel Kotwasinski – Tossed three innings of relief, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three.
Inside the Box Score
- Elmhurst's offense racked up 13 hits—just one more than Illinois Tech—but the Hawks stranded nine runners.
- Elmhurst's Jack Krueger earned the win, pitching five innings, allowing three earned runs, and striking out three.
- Illinois Tech's defense faltered with three errors, leading to several unearned runs.
- Elmhurst capitalized on seven walks and two hit batters, extending innings and applying constant pressure.
Up Next
Illinois Tech baseball will fly south to Florida for their Spring trip, which will feature five games in the RussMatt Invitational. Their first contest is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, at 4:30 PM against Farmingdale State.
