Baseball Readies for Crucial Four-Game CCIW Slate

Will face Carroll and Wheaton

4/14/2022 10:00:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - With a third of Illinois Wesleyan University baseball's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin slate behind them, the Titans are scheduled to play four crucial league games in as many days. IWU will host Carroll University in a twin bill, Friday, April 15 with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. These two teams will then play a single, neutral site game at Millikin University, Saturday, April 16. The first pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Decatur, Ill. The Titans will wrap up its busy stretch by traveling to Wheaton, Ill. to finish off the team's two-game series, Monday, April 18 with a start time of 6 p.m.

Coming into this weekend's action, IWU holds a 13-10 (4-2 CCIW) record, the Pios own an 11-14 (4-3 CCIW) clip, while the Thunder are riding a two-game winning streak with an overall record of 8-14 (4-3 CCIW).

Illinois Wesleyan last took to the diamond Monday, April 11 against Wheaton. The Thunder led from wire-to-wire, welcoming two home runs to open up a quick 5-0 cushion and never looked backed, halting IWU's three-game winning streak by a score of 15-4.

Carroll comes into Friday's double dip well rested, having last played Sunday, April 10. The Pios dropped a decision against No. 9 North Central by a final score of 17-4.

On the flip side, Wheaton is enjoying a two-game winning streak. The Thunder most recently took a break from CCIW action for a win over Illinois Institute of Technology by a final score of 19-13, April 12. WC is set for a three-game series this weekend with Cartage before taking on Illinois Wesleyan.

The Titans and Pios have met a total of 13 times dating back to 2017. IWU holds the 9-4 all-time series advantage. However, Carroll has won the previous two meetings. These two conference foes last squared off May 1, 2021 in Bloomington.

Wheaton and IWU have a much longer history, dating back to 1989. The Green and White have won 73 of the 100 meetings. The Titans enjoyed an 18-game winning streak from April 14, 2000 - April 1, 2006. The teams last played each other a couple days ago, April 11, that saw the Thunder come out on top with the 15-4 victory.

For conference contests, IWU's offense ranks second in batting average with a .359 clip, just .008 points behind North Central. The team also ranks second in the CCIW with 77 runs, 80 hits, three triples, and 70 RBI. The Green and White leads the conference with 43 walks and a 0.485 on base percentage.

The Titan pitching staff comes in fifth in the conference with a combined 7.18 ERA. The staff has allowed the second fewest doubles, with six.

For conference play, senior Dominic DiLello (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred Heart Griffin) leads qualified hitters with a staggering .611 batting average, 1.509 OPS, 13 runs scored, and 11 hits. Sophomore Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) is quietly putting together a solid start to conference play with a .417 batting average with five hits, a pair of doubles, and seven total bases.

The pitching staff has been able to keep opponents guessing at the plate, led by senior Jacob Duffy (Pontiac, Ill.-Pontiac) and junior Scott Monocchio (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard West). The two veterans on the bump have combined for three of the team's four conference victories so far, with Monocchio earning a pair and Duffy notching one.

Live stats and live video links will be available for all four games. Links can be found on iwusports.com, on the baseball schedule, on the right hand side of the respected game.

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