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Nathan Waterman Pitching Against Millikin on April 8, 2023
Kodiak Creative
4
Knox KC 6-16
19
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU 9-15
Knox KC
6-16
4
Final
19
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
9-15
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Knox KC 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 5 2
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 3 4 2 0 10 0 X 19 12 0

W: Waterman, Nathan (1-0) L: Lucas Amend (0-3)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Powers Past Prairie Fire

Set season-high run total

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University made quick work of Knox College, Wednesday, April 12 at Horenberger Field. The Titan offense exploded for a 19-4 victory over the Prairie Fire by producing multiple runs in four innings. After the victory, the Titans record improved to 9-15, while Knox's record fell to 6-16.

The Prairie Fire scored two runs, on three hits, in the top of the first to generate a 2-0 advantage after the first half inning.

In the bottom of the first, junior Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) reached base on an infield single to the second baseman. Senior Ethan Burgh (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) earned a walk, then junior Jacob Cyrus (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) reached safety on a hit by pitch to set up bases loaded, with one out, to warrant a Prairie Fire pitching change.

With the new hurler on the mound, sophomore Casey Swanson (Minooka, Ill.-Minooka) drove in Perona on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 2-1. With two outs, sophomore Jimmy Gurgone (Mokena, Ill.-Glenbard West) delivered a two RBI single to give IWU its first lead of the contest, 3-2, after one inning of action.

In the second, IWU's offense scored four runs, on four hits. Senior Jalen Ping (Chatham, Ill.-Glenwood) drove a triple to right center that one-hopped the fence, which allowed junior Nick Pratscher (Plainfield, Ill.-Plainfield East), who dropped down a bunt single earlier in the frame, to score. Burgh, picking up where he left off yesterday, tallied an infield as Ping trotted home to push the score to 5-2. Cyrus, with a runner in motion, rifled the Titans second triple of the inning, as Burgh easily scored to generate a 7-2 advantage after two frames.

The Green and White notched two runs in the bottom of the third to create a 9-2 cushion.

IWU's offense exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth to open up a 19-2 advantage.

The Titan bullpen shut the door as the Green and White walked away with the 19-4 victory.

On the bump, freshman Nathan Waterman (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) notched his first career start. The Southpaw logged four innings of work, while allowing three hits and striking out four en route to earning his first-career victory (1-0). 

Illinois Wesleyan outhit Knox by a final tally 12-5. Ping, Perona, and Gurgone each notched two hits on the evening. Gurgone secured four RBI, while Ping and freshman Jack Flagg (River Forest, Ill.-Oak Park River Forest) earned three RBI each.

The Green and White will resume College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action, Saturday, April 15 with a home doubleheader against Elmhurst University. First pitch of the double dip is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Horenberger Field.

 
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