Bloomington, Ill. — Illinois Tech (8-14) could not hang on to a lead dropping a mid week non conference showdown to Illinois Wesleyan (7-15) 7–6 on Tuesday at Horenberger Field. The Scarlet Hawks put up six runs on seven hits, including a thrilling triple, but a late two-run rally by Wesleyan in the eighth inning clinched the win for the Titans.
How it Happened
The Titans made an early statement, scoring twice in the first inning. Matt Hudik scored on a wild pitch, followed by Aj Weller crossing home on Jack Novak's RBI single, giving Ill. Wesleyan a 2–0 lead.
Illinois Tech answered back in the second inning with
Ryan Fostiak scoring on
Logan Inman's RBI single, closing the gap to 2–1.
The Scarlet Hawks surged ahead in the third.
Jack Friar's single set up
Quinton Riepl's RBI triple down the right field line, bringing Friar home. A groundout by
Ryan Fostiak allowed Riepl to score, pushing Illinois Tech ahead 3–2.
The sixth inning was a turning point. Illinois Tech widened their lead to 5–2 thanks to
Matthew Reilly's double to left-center, driving in two runs. The Titans countered with two runs, narrowing the lead to 5–4.
Both teams added a run in the seventh. Illinois Tech's
Luke Yachnin scored on
Quinton Riepl's sacrifice fly, maintaining a 6–5 edge for the Scarlet Hawks.
However, Ill. Wesleyan rallied in the eighth inning, scoring two runs to take a 7–6 lead. Gage Wolfe scored on a groundout, and Aj Weller singled to bring Derek Ittner home.
Illinois Tech couldn't find the equalizer in the ninth inning despite a walk by
Jonah Wilkes and two stolen bases by pinch runner
Tommy Jewell.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
John Moran took the mound for Illinois Tech, pitching 2 1/3 innings with four hits and two earned runs, striking out four.
Jack Niekrasz came through with 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing no hits and one walk, with one strikeout.
Andrew Stanislawski pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs.
Cullen Fulling handled 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run.
James Kennedy pitched 2/3 of an inning, surrendering two hits and one earned run.
Jackson Nutter closed with 1/3 of an inning, yielding one hit and one walk.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Quinton Riepl
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- 1 run
- 1 triple
- 2 RBIs
Matthew Reilly
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- 1 double
- 2 RBIs
- 1 walk
Ryan Fostiak
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- 2 runs
- 1 RBI
- 2 walks
Ill. Wesleyan Top Performers
Aj Weller
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- 3 hits
- 2 runs
- 1 RBI
Jack Novak
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- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 2 walks
Eli Kieser
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- 1 double
- 2 RBIs
- 1 run
Gage Wolfe
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- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 1 sacrifice hit
- 5 assists
Game Notes:
- This was the first baseball meeting between the Scarlet Hawks and the Titans.
- The team has achieved at least 4 stolen bases in two consecutive games.
-
John Moran registered a season-high of 46 pitches.
-
Matthew Reilly recorded a season-high 2 RBIs.
-
Tyler Gutsfeld achieved a season-high of 5 putouts.
Up Next
Illinois Tech right back to work tomorrow against Wisconsin Lutheran with a doubleheader starting at noon at Ed Glancy Field in Chicago, Illinois.
