Lafayette, Ind. — Illinois Tech (3-4) faced off against Wooster (8-2) and Elmhurst (3-5) in neutral site showdowns on Sunday, finishing the day with a loss to Wooster, 9-5, followed by a victory over Elmhurst, 11-7. The Scarlet Hawks showcased a spirited offense against both opponents, highlighted by a five-run burst in the eighth inning against Elmhurst.

How it Happened

Against Wooster
 the Scarlet Hawks came out swinging in the first inning. Philip Bentz singled to right, and Ryan Fostiak followed with a single down the left-field line. Bentz made it to third and then boldly stole home, putting Illinois Tech on the scoreboard first. End of first inning: Illinois Tech 1, Wooster 0.

In the third inning, Bentz got on base thanks to an error, setting up Fostiak to triple down the right-field line, bringing Bentz home. Fostiak then scored on a pitcher's error, stretching the Scarlet Hawks' lead. But the Fighting Scots answered back with a five-run rally, highlighted by a two-run double from Maanav Bhatt. End of third inning: Wooster 5, Illinois Tech 3.

Illinois Tech evened things up in the fifth. Logan Inman reached on an error, Bentz singled, and Fostiak doubled to left, driving in Inman and Bentz. End of fifth inning: Illinois Tech 5, Wooster 5.

Wooster took control again in the sixth with four runs. Colin Leslie led off with a solo homer, and a flurry of hits plus a fielding error widened their lead. End of sixth inning: Wooster 9, Illinois Tech 5.

Against Elmhurst
 the game started with Elmhurst seizing an early advantage in the second inning, racking up four runs. Timothy O'Connell laid down a bunt single, followed by a mix of walks and hits, setting the stage for Marty Fraga's two-run blast, which extended the lead to 4-0. Illinois Tech was held scoreless in the second, stranding two runners. Elmhurst led 4-0 after two innings.

In the third inning, Illinois Tech began to chip away. Jack Friar drew a walk and advanced on a wild pitch before Bentz tripled, bringing Friar home. Fostiak's sacrifice fly scored Bentz, narrowing Elmhurst's lead to 5-2. Elmhurst added another run in the third, holding a 5-2 lead.

The fifth inning saw Illinois Tech swing the momentum. Tyler Gutsfeld walked, advanced on errors, and scored on a wild pitch. Quinton Riepl and Jonah Wilkes also crossed home on wild pitches after reaching on errors. Inman scored on yet another wild pitch, pushing Illinois Tech ahead 6-5 through five innings.

Elmhurst evened the score in the sixth inning with Tommy Wichgers' leadoff triple and an RBI groundout. The game was tied 6-6 after six innings.

The eighth inning proved pivotal for Illinois Tech, producing five runs. Luke Yachnin and Friar crossed the plate on Bentz's single. Fostiak and Bentz scored on Gutsfeld's double. Wilkes singled in Gutsfeld, stretching the lead to 11-6. Elmhurst was unable to respond in their half of the inning.

In the ninth, Elmhurst managed one run due to a single and an error, but the Scarlet Hawks held firm. The game concluded with Illinois Tech emerging victorious, 11-7.

**Scarlet Hawk Pitchers**

Against Wooster, Tommy Jewell took the mound for 5 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and no walks, keeping a WHIP of 1.20. Austin Schnurr came in for 2 innings of relief, giving up 4 runs, including a homer, with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks, ending with a WHIP of 2.50. Alexander Lazes closed it out with 1 inning, surrendering just 1 hit and no runs, tossing 10 strikes from 12 pitches.

In the game against Elmhurst, Cameron Bracewell got the start for Illinois Tech, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing six earned runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked three, laboring through 97 pitches over 25 at-bats. Joseph Belflower took over in relief, pitching 2 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits, and securing the win to boost his record to 1-0. Belflower was efficient, throwing 32 pitches with 22 strikes, effectively handling 12 batters without issuing a walk.

**Scarlet Hawk Standouts**

Against Wooster:

Philip Bentz
  - 3 runs
  - 2 hits
  - 1 stolen base

Ryan Fostiak
  - 3 hits
  - 3 RBIs
  - 1 triple
  - 1 double

Tommy Jewell
  - 5 innings pitched
  - 6 hits
  - 3 strikeouts

Against Elmhurst:
Philip Bentz
  - 3 hits
  - 3 RBIs
  - 1 triple
  - 2 runs

Tyler Gutsfeld
  - 2 RBIs
  - 1 double
  - 2 runs
  - 1 stolen base

Luke Yachnin
  - 3 hits
  - 1 double
  - 1 stolen base

Wooster Top Performers

Zack Barienbrock
  - 2 runs
  - 2 hits
  - 2 RBIs
  - 1 double

Colin Leslie
  - 2 runs
  - 1 home run
  - 2 hit by pitches

Maanav Bhatt
  - 2 RBIs
  - 1 double
  - 4 assists

Elmhurst Top Performers

Marty Fraga
  - 1 home run
  - 3 RBIs
  - 1 walk

Tommy Wichgers
  - 2 runs
  - 3 hits
  - 1 triple

Timothy O'Connell
  - 2 RBIs
  - 2 hits
  - 3 assists

Game Notes
- Illinois Tech is now 0-2 all-time against The College of Wooster.
- Illinois Tech improves to 4-8 lifetime against Elmhurst.

Up Next

Illinois Tech is set for their Spring Break trip as they will take the field at 2 p.m. CT Saturday, March 14, as they square off against Caltech in Pasadena, California.