Chicago, ILL – The Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks split their Saturday doubleheader against Lakeland University at Ed Glancy Field, dropping Game 1 in a tough 11-4 loss before bouncing back with a 6-2 victory in Game 2. With the split, the Scarlet Hawks move to 9-12 overall and 5-3 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play, while the Muskies now sit at 6-14 overall and 3-5 in the NACC. Game 1 unraveled for Illinois Tech in a disastrous sixth inning, but the team rebounded in the nightcap with clutch hitting, aggressive baserunning, and shutdown bullpen work to salvage the series.
Game 1: Illinois Tech 4, Lakeland 11
How it Happened
Illinois Tech jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff single by Jack Friar and a stolen base, Lucas Waunn delivered an RBI single to score Friar. Michael Paxson later came around to score on a hit-by-pitch RBI from Philip Bentz, giving the Scarlet Hawks a quick 2-1 advantage after Lakeland had pushed across a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the frame.
The game remained tight and low-scoring through the fifth inning, with both pitching staffs settling in. Starter Joseph Belflower kept Lakeland quiet after the first, supported by solid defensive work through the middle innings.
However, Lakeland exploded for ten runs in a tough inning for Illinois Tech. A series of singles, walks, and three defensive errors—two of which led directly to runs—proved costly. The Muskies sent 13 batters to the plate and capitalized on every opportunity, turning a 2-1 deficit into an 11-2 lead. Key moments included a two-run double by Rily Roberts and a three-run sequence that saw Illinois Tech commit back-to-back fielding errors. The inning forced the Hawks to cycle through three pitchers, with Mason Kim eventually stopping the bleeding.
Illinois Tech managed to claw back two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Mathew Bove doubled and came around to score on a groundout by Friar, and Jack Finch later added an RBI single. But the damage had been done. Lakeland's bullpen shut things down over the final two innings, allowing just one baserunner to seal the 11-4 win.
It was a tale of one bad inning for Illinois Tech, as a promising start turned into a frustrating Game 1 finish.
 
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
• Jack Finch: 2-for-4, RBI
• Matthew Bove: 1-for-3, double, run scored
• Tyler Gutsfeld: 2-for-5, run scored
• Mason Kim: 3.1 IP, 2 hits allowed, 2 runs, 0 ER
 
Inside the Box Score
• Illinois Tech out-hit Lakeland 10 to 9, but committed 3 costly errors leading to multiple runs.
• Lakeland scored 10 runs in the sixth inning alone, turning the tide decisively.
• Four Illinois Tech batters were hit by pitches—three in the first inning alone.
• Lakeland stranded just 5 runners, while the Hawks left 7 on base.
 
Game 2: Illinois Tech 6, Lakeland 2
How It Happened
The Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks rallied from an early deficit and used timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and a lights-out bullpen to defeat Lakeland 6-2 on Saturday in Game Two. The game began in favor of the visiting Muskies, who jumped ahead with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. A single from Tucker Gegenfurt plated the first run, and an RBI single from Rily Roberts made it 2-0 before the Hawks had a chance to swing the bats.
Illinois Tech quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. After Tyler Gutsfeld reached base and advanced to third, he came home on a passed ball to cut the lead in half. The Scarlet Hawks then took command in the third inning, sparked again by Gutsfeld and Michael Paxson. Gutsfeld led off with a double and later stole home, tying the game. Paxson followed with a single, stole second and third, and scored on a groundout by Jack Finch, giving Illinois Tech a 3-2 lead.
Both teams settled in after the third, as pitching took over the middle innings. The Scarlet Hawks received three strong shutout innings of relief from John Gori, who held Lakeland scoreless and picked up his first win of the season.
The game broke open in the bottom of the eighth. After Matthew Bove singled, Gutsfeld blasted a two-run homer to right field to give the Hawks breathing room at 5-2. Paxson added his own solo home run to left, as the Scarlet Hawks went back-to-back, pushing the lead to 6-2. The Muskies had no answer in the ninth, going down in order against Carson Weis.
Illinois Tech's combination of dynamic offense, particularly on the basepaths, and a dominant bullpen performance proved too much for Lakeland. The Hawks finished with 10 hits, including two home runs and two doubles, and did not commit a single error in the field.
 
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
• Tyler Gutsfeld – 4-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 SB
• Michael Paxson – 3-for-5, HR, RBI, 2 runs, 3 SB
• John Gori – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (Win)
• Cameron Bracewell – 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
 
Inside the Box Score
• Illinois Tech stole 7 bases, applying pressure all game.
• The bullpen combined for 6.0 IP, allowing no earned runs and striking out 8.
• The Scarlet Hawks played error-free defense, while Lakeland committed 3.
• Illinois Tech had 4 extra-base hits and held Lakeland to just one.
 
Up Next
Illinois Tech baseball will host North Central College at Ed Glancy Field on Sunday, April 6th at 1 PM as they look to avenge the loss to the Cardinals from earlier this season.