Chicago, IL — The Illinois Tech baseball team (21-17, 15-7 NACC) made it seven straight wins Tuesday sweeping against Dominican University (Ill.) (14-23, 7-17 NACC) securing a commanding 21-6 victory in the first game before narrowly edging out a 13-12 walk off win in the second.
How it Happened
In game one, Illinois Tech dominated the opening inning with a 12-run eruption against the Stars.
Jack Friar reached on an error, and
Ryan Fostiak doubled to set the stage.
Philip Bentz and
Tyler Gutsfeld each contributed two RBIs with Bentz's single and Gutsfeld's double. The Scarlet Hawks capitalized on several errors and wild pitches to extend their lead to 12-0 after the first inning.
In the third inning, Illinois Tech added three more runs. Fostiak singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gutsfeld.
Logan Inman followed with a two-run homer (his 1st of his career), bringing the score to 15-0. The fourth inning saw Illinois Tech score again as
Kendall Miyasato doubled and later crossed home plate on a groundout, increasing the lead to 16-0. The Scarlet Hawks continued their offensive display in the fifth inning, scoring five runs, highlighted by Gutsfeld's solo home run. By the end of the fifth, Illinois Tech was ahead 21-0.
Dominican managed to score six runs in the seventh inning, with Nick Lopez and Zach Helein contributing to the scoring, but Illinois Tech maintained a significant lead for a decisive 21-6 victory.
In game two, the action started with Dominican taking an early lead on Alex Garcia's RBI single. However, Illinois Tech responded swiftly.
Jack Friar doubled and scored on
Ryan Fostiak's double, followed by
Quinton Riepl and
Logan Inman bringing in more runs for a 3-1 lead after the first inning. The third inning saw Dominican tie the game with a two-run homer by Matthew Earley, but Illinois Tech regained the lead as Riepl stole home, making it 4-3.
The fifth inning proved crucial as both teams exchanged significant blows. Dominican scored four runs, highlighted by Ricky Powell's three-run homer, taking a 7-4 lead. Illinois Tech answered with a six-run rally, putting them ahead 10-7 after five innings. The Scarlet Hawks extended their lead to 12-7 in the sixth inning, but Dominican mounted a comeback in the seventh, narrowing the gap to 12-11. In the ninth inning, Dominican tied the game at 12-12, but Illinois Tech clinched the win as a 1 out pitch hit single by
Jack Finch started the rally. After
Joshua Minami pinch ran for Finch he scored the decisive run on Bentz's RBI 2 out single, securing a 13-12 victory.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
In game one,
Cameron Bracewell delivered a strong performance for Illinois Tech, pitching 5 innings without allowing an run, striking out 7, and giving up 5 hits.
Jackson Nutter struggled in relief, surrendering 6 earned runs on 4 hits over 1 1/3 innings, with 2 walks and a hit batter.
James Kennedy closed the game with two-thirds of an inning, allowing a walk and a hit batter while throwing 16 pitches.
In game two,
Austin Schnurr started, pitching 4 1/3 innings with 6 strikeouts and no walks, allowing 6 hits and 3 earned runs.
Cullen Fulling relieved Schnurr, contributing 1 2/3 innings with 3 strikeouts, but also surrendered 2 earned runs.
Alexander Lazes struggled in his brief appearance, allowing 3 earned runs and 2 walks without recording an out.
Joshua Lamberson and
Tommy Jewell closed the game, pitching a combined 3 innings and allowing 2 earned runs, with Jewell earning the decision.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Game 1:
-
Ryan Fostiak
- 3 runs
- 4 hits
- 1 double
-
Philip Bentz
- 3 runs
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
-
Tyler Gutsfeld
- 3 runs
- 3 hits
- 6 RBIs
- 1 home run
-
Logan Inman
- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 3 RBIs
- 1 home run
-
Cameron Bracewell
- 5 innings pitched
- 7 strikeouts
- 0 earned runs
Game 2:
-
Philip Bentz
- 4 hits
- 2 runs
- 2 RBIs
- 1 stolen base
-
Logan Inman
- 3 RBIs
- 2 hits
- 2 walks
- 1 stolen base
-
Quinton Riepl
- 3 hits
- 3 runs
- 1 stolen base
-
Ryan Fostiak
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 2 doubles
- 1 RBI
Game Notes:
- Game 1: With his second double in the bottom of the first inning,
Tyler Gutsfeld set the new career record for hits for Illinois Tech Baseball with 212.
- Game 2: Illinois Tech achieved a season-high of 11 pitching strikeouts swinging and recorded 6 stolen bases, above their season average of 3.14. They scored at least 13 runs in consecutive games and improved to 11-10 lifetime against Dominican University, including 8-2 at home.
Up Next
Looking ahead, Illinois Tech is set to face Aurora University at noon on Friday, May 1, in Aurora, Illinois.
