Game One Box Score  |  Game Two Box Score

LISLE, Ill. - Sophomore catcher A.J. Nathan hit an eighth inning home run to snap a 2-2 tie and give Illinois Wesleyan a 3-2 win over Wheaton in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 9 in Lisle, Ill. The Titans fell behind 7-0 in the nightcap but rallied to get within two in a 7-5 loss in the nightcap.

The No. 21-ranked Titans are 14-6 overall and 6-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Thunder is 1-6 in league play and 10-14 overall.

In the opener, junior righthander Joe Sweeney (4-1) was the winning pitcher, allowing 11 hits and striking out five in the complete game.

Nathan had three hits in the game while senior third baseman Jeff Grodecki had two hits, including a double, and freshman designated hitter Jonathan Erickson had two singles.

Wheaton salvaged a win in the three-game series as the Thunder scored seven runs on 17 hits. Freshman starter Evan Rahn (1-3), who held the Titans hitless through the first four innings, earned his first collegiate win in 7 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs, on seven hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. Senior Steve Dennison earned his second save by holding the Titans hitless in the ninth inning, with one strikeout.

The Titans scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning, highlighted by a grand slam home run by freshman Bobby Czarnowski, who had two hits in the game, but Ross and Dennison closed the door on the guests to get the final five outs and secure the victory for the Thunder.

Senior centerfielder Ryan Hopp and sophomore shortstop Zach Scott also had two hits in the game.
Sophomore lefthander Nick Mehn (2-1) was tagged for 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings as a starter.

Wheaton's Trey Martin was 4-for-5, with a double as he drove in three runs, with a run scored. Drew Golz was 4-for-5, with a run scored. Junior designated hitter Austin Driggers was 3-for-5, with a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Catcher Brian Whartnaby was 2-for-3, with a run driven in.