Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content
Evan Ranneklev Swinging
3
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 6-6
7
Winner Simpson SIMBSB 8-1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
6-6
3
Final
7
Simpson SIMBSB
8-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 6 0
Simpson SIMBSB 1 0 1 0 1 4 X 7 8 3

W: Trey Castile (1-0) L: Lohman, Bryce (0-1)

5
Simpson SIMBSB 8-2
9
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU 7-6
Simpson SIMBSB
8-2
5
Final
9
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
7-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Simpson SIMBSB 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 5 10 1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 2 2 0 1 1 3 X 9 13 1

W: Hartman, Brady (1-1) L: Colton Major (1-2)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Earns Split Against Storm

Record sits at 7-6

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team saw its five-game winning streak come to a halt at the hands of Simpson College Friday, March 18, before IWU salvaged a split in the nightcap. The Storm took down the Titans by a final score of 7-3 in the opener, but Illinois Wesleyan won the second game by a final score of 9-5. IWU now sits at 7-6, while SC's record is at 8-2.


Game one: Illinois Wesleyan 3, Simpson 7

The Storm generated three hits in the first inning that led to one run crossing the plate as SC maintained a quick 1-0 after one inning of play.

SC tacked on another run after a base on balls later scored on a wild pitch to push the Simpson advantage to 2-0 heading into the fourth.

With two away in the top of the fourth, sophomore Jacob Cyrus (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) drilled a line drive double over the left fielder's head to drive in junior Ethan Burgh (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Cyrus later came around to score on a Storm miscue to knot the score at two after four and a half innings of play.

Simpson retook a slim 3-2 lead after two, two out hits after five complete frames.

A clutch pinch hit single by sophomore Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) drove in the game-tying run as Burgh scampered home to tie the game, 3-3, going into the bottom of the sixth.

The Storm generated four runs in the sixth to open up a commanding 7-3 lead heading into the final frame. IWU could not mount a comeback as the team's five-game winning streak was snapped after taking the loss by a final score of 7-3.

Senior Jacob Duffy (Pontiac, Ill.-Pontiac) got the start on the bump for the Green and White and did not factor into the decision. He tossed five innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out one. Junior Bryce Lohman (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) took the loss (0-1) out of the bullpen.

SC outhit the Green and White, 8-6, with Cyrus leading the IWU the offense with his two base knocks. 

Game two: Illinois Wesleyan 9, Simpson 5

The Storm took the lead after just five pitches as SC notched back-to-back two baggers to generate a quick 1-0 lead. Freshman Brady Hartman (Milan, Ill.-Sherrard) shut down the threat by retiring the next three hitters to keep the deficit at 1-0 after one half inning.

Simpson's lead was short-lived as senior Dominic DiLello (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred Heart Griffin) laced a tailing line drive triple that scored senior Evan Ranneklev (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley). Junior Jalen Ping (Chatham, Ill.-Glenwood) did his job, driving in DiLello on a ground ball with the defense back to give the Green and White a 2-1 cushion after one inning. 

With two gone in the second, the Green and White strung together three straight base knocks that was highlighted by a Ranneklev triple to right center that drove in senior Collin Elvers (Hamel, Ill.-Edwardsville) and freshman Jimmy Gurgone (Mokena, Ill.-St. Laurence) to increase the Titan cushion to 4-1.

With two-out scoring being a theme, the Storm pushed two, two-out runs across to cut into the Titan lead, making the score 4-3 after two and a half.

The Storm tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to even the score at 4-4.

Pinch runner, freshman Clay Goff (Warrenton, Va.-Fauqiuer) scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch to give IWU a 5-4 cushion heading into the fifth frame.

Perona delivered a big insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as the sophomore placed a single in the left center gap, driving in Burgh for the 6-4 lead.

Simpson cut the lead to 6-5 in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly, but the Green and White quickly responded. IWU scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, on five hits, while taking advantage of a Storm miscue to expand the lead to 9-5. 

Freshman Jay Lemenager (Clifton, Ill.-Clifton) came in relief and shut down any and all comeback hopes as the Titans went on to split the twin bill by winning game two, 9-5.

Hartman got the win (1-1) on the mound, tossing five innings, while allowing eight hits. 

Ranneklev topped the Titans offensively by notching a 3-for-3 performance at the dish.  

The Green and White will wrap-up play in the RussMatt Central Invitational tomorrow, March 19, with a single nine-inning matchup against SUNY Canton. First pitch is slated for 9:15 a.m. ET at Lake Myrtle complex, field #2. 
Print Friendly Version