Illinois Tech concluded their season Friday night in a 7-6 lose in game two of their double header to Dominican University. While the outcome of the year was not what the Scarlet Hawks envisioned there were still many exciting moments, historic milestones, and promising signs looking to the future. Let's look back to relieve the top 5 moments of the season. 
 
 Top 5 Moments of the year video
#5  Jack Friar diving backhand play in the hole on opening day vs Monmouth
#4  Jack Finch first career hit came in a big way as he drove a ball just inside the right field foul pole against Kalamazoo  
#3  Scarlet Hawks explode for a 9 run 8^th inning to turn a close game into a run rule win capped by a Michael Paxson walk off two run homerun 
#2  Michael Paxson records hit  200^th career hit at Rate Field via a long homerun to the left center bleachers 
#1. Scarlet Hawks sweep Rockford thanks to a game 2 bunting barrage which led to a comeback win
 
 
Michael Paxson concluded his record setting career for the Scarlet Hawks. In his time at Illinois Tech Paxson has reset the record books. Paxson finishes his career as the leader in career home runs with 34, 2^nd in hits (105), 4^th in slugging percentage (.604), 4^th in doubles (36), 1^st in hit by pitches (33).  Paxson accomplished all this while maintain a 3.7 gpa in Aerospace Engineering 
 
The Scarlet Hawk's will look to build on the successful seasons from the following returners
 
Tyler Gutsfeld like Paxson continues to climb in the record book. Gutsfeld led the Hawks in almost every offensive category this season as he slashed an impressive .376/.420/.720. He recorded double digit home runs (10) for the second straight year and will continue to be a consistent presence in the Scarlet Hawk order.
 
Jack Friar unfortunately saw his sophomore season end early due to injury but during his time on the field he showed significant growth. Friar hit anywhere from 1 to 4 in the order and was able to get on base at a .362 clip while also adding 7 extra base hits up from just 1 in his freshman campaign
 
Philip Bentz saw significant time as a freshman bouncing between catcher, right field, and designated hitter. The freshman out of Rapid City, South Dakota was a mainstay in the middle of the Scarlet Hawk order as he hit .307 and added 5 doubles on the year. 
 
These three returners and more will be expected to set the tone next year as baseball looks to return to the NACC conference tournament in 2026.