Pasadena, Calif. — Illinois Tech Baseball (5-4) concluded a doubleheader with a thrilling 10-8 win in the first game followed by a commanding 9-3 victory over Caltech (3-16) at Caltech North Field. The Scarlet Hawks showcased impressive offensive prowess across both games, totaling 22 hits and significant contributions from their pitching staff.

How it Happened

In the first game, Illinois Tech's offense soared with a pivotal four-run fourth inning. Jack Friar doubled and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Scarlet Hawks an early 1-0 advantage. However, Caltech responded with four runs in the third, flipping the score to 4-1 in their favor. Illinois Tech fought back in the fourth, highlighted by Tyler Gutsfeld's solo home run and a sequence of strategic plays that put them ahead 5-4.

The sixth inning saw Illinois Tech pad their lead with four more runs, including a single by Logan Inman that brought in a run, and by the end of that inning, they led 9-5. Though Caltech attempted a late rally in the ninth with Jack Bernhardt's two-run homer, Illinois Tech held firm for a 10-8 victory.

In the second game, Illinois Tech started strong, with Jack Friar scoring on a throwing error to take a 1-0 lead. Caltech quickly countered, scoring three runs, including an RBI double from Mark Hu, to lead 3-1. The Scarlet Hawks narrowed the deficit in the second inning with a run from Jonah Wilkes, and then surged ahead in the third with a two-run blast from Tyler Gutsfeld, bringing the score to 5-3.

Gutsfeld struck again in the fourth with another two-run homer, extending the lead to 7-3. The Scarlet Hawks sealed their victory in the sixth inning with a two-RBI single from Ryan Fostiak, finalizing the score at 9-3. Illinois Tech's pitchers dominated the final six innings, keeping Caltech scoreless.

Scarlet Hawk Pitchers

In the first game, Carson Weis pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 2 strikeouts. Joshua Lamberson relieved, pitching 6 innings and giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while improving to 1-0. In the second game, Tommy Jewell set the tone with 7 innings pitched, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits and striking out 4 batters, maintaining a 1.00 WHIP. Relievers Cullen Fulling and John Moran combined to shut down Caltech in the last two innings.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

Game 1:
- Tyler Gutsfeld:  
  - 1 home run  
  - 2 hits  
  - 1 stolen base  

- Philip Bentz:  
  - 2 stolen bases  
  - 2 hits  
  - 1 RBI  

- Matthew Bove:  
  - 2 runs  
  - 4 assists  
  - 1 stolen base  

- Quinton Riepl:  
  - 2 runs  
  - 1 double  
  - 2 hits  

- Luke Yachnin:  
  - 2 runs  
  - 2 hits  
  - 1 stolen base  

Game 2:
- Jack Friar:  
  - 2 runs  
  - 2 stolen bases  

- Ryan Fostiak:  
  - 2 runs  
  - 2 RBIs  
  - 2 stolen bases  

- Tyler Gutsfeld:  
  - 2 home runs  
  - 4 RBIs  
  - 2 runs  

- Tommy Jewell:  
  - 7 innings pitched  
  - 4 strikeouts  
  - 1.00 WHIP  

Caltech Top Performers

Game 1:
- Jack Bernhardt
  - 3 runs  
  - 3 hits  
  - 3 RBIs  
  - 2 home runs  

- Riley Foard 
  - 2 runs  
  - 2 RBIs  
  - 1 home run  
  - 1 walk  

- Kailen Hargenrader
  - 1 run  
  - 2 hits  
  - 1 RBI  
  - 1 double  

Game 2
- Mark Hu:  
  - 2 doubles  
  - 1 RBI  
  - 2 hits  

- Quinn Hartman:  
  - 1 hit  
  - 1 stolen base  
  - 1 strikeout (pitching)  

- Kailen Hargenrader
  - 3 walks  
  - 1 run scored  

- Riley Foard
  - 1 hit  
  - 1 RBI  
  - 3 assists (fielding)  

Game Notes
- These games marked the first meetings between Illinois Tech and Caltech.

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks will hit the road to take on Whittier College. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT Sunday, March 15, in Whittier, California.