Whittier, Calif. — Illinois Tech (5-5) battled it out against Whittier College (7-13) but fell short in a tight 9-8 loss on Sunday, as Whittier clinched the win in the 10th inning. The Scarlet Hawks racked up 18 hits, including a thrilling triple by
Jack Friar, but couldn't quite overcome Whittier's crucial four-run rally in the seventh inning.
How it Happened
The Scarlet Hawks faced off against Whittier in what turned out to be a nail-biter. The home team jumped ahead early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Eric Logsdon singled, followed by an RBI single from Alex Jasso. Matthew Mecate and Jasso later crossed home, giving Whittier a 3-0 lead after the first. Illinois Tech got on the scoreboard in the third inning when
Jack Friar tripled and scored on a
Philip Bentz single, narrowing the gap to 3-1.
Illinois Tech leveled the score in the fourth.
Matthew Bove reached on an error and scored on a
Luke Yachnin single, while
Logan Inman also dashed home, making it 3-3 after four innings.
The fifth inning saw Illinois Tech pulling ahead.
Ryan Fostiak reached on an error and scored on a
Jonah Wilkes single.
Quinton Riepl then added to the lead with a two-RBI single, pushing Illinois Tech ahead 6-3. Whittier responded with a solo home run from Rayden Miguel, closing the gap to 6-4 by the end of the fifth.
Illinois Tech's lead slipped away in the seventh. Whittier surged with four runs, driven by RBI doubles from Mecate and Jasso, reclaiming the lead at 8-6.
In the ninth, the Scarlet Hawks fought back. Bove and
Tommy Jewell scored on a Friar single, tying it up at 8-8.
The game wrapped in the tenth inning with Whittier's Miguel scoring on a hit by pitch, sealing the 9-8 final score.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
Cameron Bracewell started on the mound for Illinois Tech, tossing 4 1/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits, including a homer, while fanning three and walking one.
John Gori took over in relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs on two hits, with four walks and two strikeouts.
Austin Schnurr closed the game with 3 1/3 innings, surrendering one earned run on five hits and striking out three. Despite the challenges, the pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Jack Friar
----------------------
- 3 RBIs
- 2 hits
- 1 triple
Tyler Gutsfeld
----------------------
- 3 hits
- 1 double
- 1.167 OPS
Quinton Riepl
----------------------
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1.550 OPS
Philip Bentz
----------------------
- 3 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 double
Whittier Top Performers
Rayden Miguel
----------------------
- 2 runs
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
- 2 hits
Alex Jasso
----------------------
- 2 runs
- 3 RBIs
- 2 hits
- 1 double
Matthew Mecate
----------------------
- 2 runs
- 1 double
- 3 walks
Game Notes:
- This was the first-ever matchup between Illinois Tech and Whittier.
- The team achieved a season-high 18 hits in the game.
Up Next
Next, the Scarlet Hawks continue their spring trip facing Occidental College. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 17.
