Milwaukee, Wis. – Illinois Tech Baseball split a Saturday NACC doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran at Neumann Family Baseball Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In Game 1, the Scarlet Hawks rallied from an early 3–0 deficit, erupting for five runs in the fifth inning to secure a 6–3 win. Wisconsin Lutheran responded in Game 2, capitalizing on Illinois Tech's defensive miscues and a big sixth inning to take a 10–4 victory. With the split, Illinois Tech moves to 10–16 overall and 6–6 in NACC play, while Wisconsin Lutheran improves to 13–12 overall and 8–4 in conference action.
Game 1: Illinois Tech 6, Wisconsin Lutheran 3
How It Happened
Wisconsin Lutheran opened the scoring in the third inning, taking advantage of a pair of Illinois Tech errors and timely hitting. Three unearned runs crossed the plate, with Noah Zaccanti delivering a key two-RBI single to make it 3–0.
The Scarlet Hawks responded with authority in the top of the fifth. The first three batters reached base—Matthew Bove singled, Jack Finch walked, and Lucas Waunn reached on a sac bunt error. That set the stage for Mario Recio, who ignited the offense with a two-run double down the left field line. Michael Paxson followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game, and Tyler Gutsfeld delivered the go-ahead blow with a two-run homer to right field on a hanging changeup, putting Illinois Tech up 5–3.
Paxson added an insurance run in the seventh with a solo home run to left. From there, the Scarlet Hawks turned to John Gori, who held the Warriors scoreless over the final four innings to seal the 6–3 win.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Tyler Gutsfeld: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, SB
- Michael Paxson: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
- Mario Recio: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
- Matthew Bove: 2-for-3, SB
- Joseph Belflower (W): 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (0 ER), 5 K
- John Gori (SV): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 K
Inside the Box Score
- Illinois Tech scored all six runs between the 5th and 7th innings, fueled by three extra-base hits.
- The Scarlet Hawks stole four bases, applying pressure throughout the game.
- Despite allowing 10 hits, Illinois Tech pitching stranded 13 WLC runners.
- A key double play in the eighth helped escape a late-inning threat.
- Wisconsin Lutheran committed three errors, leading to multiple unearned runs.
- Gutsfeld and Paxson each homered, marking Illinois Tech's second multi-HR game of the season.
Game 2: Wisconsin Lutheran 10, Illinois Tech 4
How It Happened
Wisconsin Lutheran took a 2–0 lead in the third inning, capitalizing on a dropped fly ball and a sacrifice fly. They extended the lead to 4–0 in the fifth when Colt Ratliff launched a two-run homer to left field.
Illinois Tech got on the board in the sixth after
Tyler Gutsfeld singled and later scored on a
Matthew Bove RBI ground out, trimming the deficit to 4–1.
The bottom of the sixth proved decisive. Wisconsin Lutheran sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs—four of them unearned—taking full advantage of Illinois Tech errors and highlighted by a three-run double from Nolan Hodgins to break the game open at 10–1.
The Hawks showed life in the top of the seventh, plating three runs on a
Michael Paxson RBI single and a Gutsfeld sacrifice fly. But the rally ended there, as Wisconsin Lutheran's Colin Nigl delivered two scoreless innings of relief to close out the 10–4 win.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Inside the Box Score
- Costly Defense: Illinois Tech committed two errors, leading to six unearned runs.
- Stranded Runners: Both teams left eight on base, but WLC capitalized more effectively.
- Extra-Base Hits: The Scarlet Hawks tallied two doubles (Bentz and Yachnin), while WLC added a double and a home run.
Up Next
Illinois Tech returns home on Tuesday, April 14, hosting Aurora University at Ed Glancy Field for a NACC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM.
