River Forest, IL. —Baseball (12-16, 7-7) dropped two close ball games to Concordia University Chicago (15-14, 10-5) at on Tuesday. The first game ended with a final score of 13–12, while the second game concluded with a narrow 12–11 loss. Both matches featured strong offensive performances, with Illinois Tech accumulating 15 hits and a home run in each game, but Concordia Chicago's power proved decisive with a total of six home runs across the two contests.
How it Happened
Game One
Illinois Tech fell just short against Concordia Chicago in a high-scoring contest, with a final score of 13–12. The Scarlet Hawks took a brief lead in the third inning when
Jack Friar doubled and
Quinton Riepl followed with a two-run homer to left field, putting Illinois Tech ahead 2–1. However, Concordia Chicago responded with five runs, including a three-run home run by Jack Linko, giving them a 6–2 advantage through three innings.
The fourth inning saw Illinois Tech narrow the gap as
Matthew Reilly scored on a wild pitch, followed by a two-RBI single from
Philip Bentz, bringing the score to 8–5 in favor of Concordia Chicago. In the fifth inning, Illinois Tech managed to tie the game at 8–8, with Reilly scoring on a walk and
Kendall Miyasato coming home on a balk. The sixth inning was action-packed as Illinois Tech took a brief lead with
Luke Yachnin driving in two runs, but Concordia Chicago answered with four runs, reclaiming a 12–10 lead. Despite a late rally, Illinois Tech was unable to secure the win.
Game Two
Illinois Tech opened with a strong first inning, scoring five runs, highlighted by
Tyler Gutsfeld's grand slam, and led 6–0 after the second inning. However, Concordia Chicago responded, scoring six runs in the third, including a three-run homer by Cam Buckley, overtaking Illinois Tech with an 8–6 lead. The Scarlet Hawks regained the lead in the fourth inning, with Gutsfeld and
Kendall Miyasato pushing Illinois Tech ahead 9–8.
The game remained quiet until the sixth inning when Miyasato hit an RBI double, tying the game at 10–10 after Concordia Chicago responded with a two-run homer by Jake Mahler. Both teams added a run in the eighth inning, with Illinois Tech's Gutsfeld scoring on Miyasato's single, but Concordia Chicago secured the win with an RBI single in the ninth, resulting in a final score of 12–11.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
In game one,
Cameron Bracewell pitched 5 innings, allowing 9 earned runs on 11 hits while striking out 7 batters.
Alexander Lazes contributed 1 inning, yielding 2 runs on 2 hits.
Jack Niekrasz closed out the game with 2 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and walking 3 batters, ultimately taking the loss with a 1-1 record.
In game two,
Cullen Fulling started, pitching 2 2/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs on seven hits.
Austin Schnurr followed with 4 2/3 innings of relief, yielding three earned runs on six hits.
Carson Weis and
Joshua Lamberson finished the game, with Lamberson allowing one earned run on two hits.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Game 1:
-
Quinton Riepl
- 1 home run
- 3 RBIs
- 1 run
-
Philip Bentz
- 4 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 stolen base
-
Matthew Reilly
- 3 hits
- 2 runs
- 1 double
-
Kendall Miyasato
- 3 runs
- 1 RBI
- 3 walks
-
Luke Yachnin
- 2 RBIs
- 2 hits
- 1 stolen base
Game 2:
-
Tyler Gutsfeld
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 6 RBIs
- 1 home run
-
Kendall Miyasato
- 3 hits
- 4 RBIs
- 1 double
- 1 stolen base
-
Quinton Riepl
- 2 runs
- 3 hits
-
Ryan Fostiak
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
Concordia Chicago Top Performers
Game 1:
- Jake Mahler
- 3 runs
- 4 RBIs
- 1 home run
- Dom Owens
- 2 runs
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- Brendan Holloway
- 3 runs
- 3 hits
- 1 double
- Jack Linko
- 3 RBIs
- 1 home run
Game 2:
- Cam Buckley
- 2 hits
- 6 RBIs
- 1 home run
- Jake Mahler
- 2 runs
- 3 RBIs
- 2 home runs
- Jack Linko
- 2 runs
- 4 hits
- 1 double
Up Next
Illinois Tech is set to host Lakeland University at noon Saturday, April 18, at Ed Glancy Field in Chicago, Illinois.
