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Jalen Ping Running Out of the Box Against North Park on April 2, 2023
Kodiak Creative
6
Winner Millikin MILLIKIN 20-7, 6-1 CCIW
4
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 7-15, 3-3 CCIW
Winner
Millikin MILLIKIN
20-7, 6-1 CCIW
6
Final
4
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
7-15, 3-3 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Millikin MILLIKIN 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 6 10 1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 7 4

W: Detmers, Drew (5-1) L: Smith, Aiden (0-1) S: Shook, Sean (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Edged by Millikin

Will return to Horenberger Field Tuesday, April 11

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - With the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning, the Illinois Wesleyan University baseball fell just short in a highly competitive College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin contest, Saturday, April 8, with a final score of 6-4, against rival Millikin University. As a result of the setback, IWU's record now sits at 7-15 (3-3 CCIW), while MU's record climbed to 20-7 (6-1 CCIW).

The Big Blue tallied two runs in the top of the first to take the quick, 2-0, lead. In the opening frame, senior Jalen Ping (Chatham, Ill.-Glenwood) made a fantastic diving catch in foul territory down the right field line to prevent further damage.

Just two pitches into the home half of the first, Ping barreled up a double that one-hopped the fence. Junior Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) delivered an RBI single just past the outstretched arm of the Big Blue secondbasemen as Ping crossed the plate to cut the deficit to 2-1. After a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Jimmy Gurgone (Mokena, Ill.-St. Laurence), to set up second and third, with one out, sophomore Cade Tomhave (Pittsfield, Ill.-Pittsfield) tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right as Perona scored on the play. After an exciting first inning, the score was even at two apiece.

Millikin scored a run in the top of the third and a run in the fourth to retake the advantage, 4-2, as the game progressed to the bottom of the fourth.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, junior Dino Biggers (Naperville, Ill.-Naperville Central) reached on an infield single to the shortstop. The Big Blue throw sailed the first baseman, which allowed sophomore Casey Swanson (Minooka, Ill.-Minooka) to cross the plate, to get IWU within a run, 4-3, after four innings of play.

MU recorded a run in the fifth on a fielder's choice, and a run in the sixth on a homer, to extend their lead to 6-3.

IWU showed some late life with a run in the bottom of the ninth on a sophomore Tristan Figus (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Buffalo Grove) single to make the score 6-4 as Swanon raced home. The Titans brought the tying run to the plate, but the Millikin bullpen was able to end the threat as MU won by a final score of 6-4.

The Big Blue outhit the Titans by a final tally of 10-7. Ping paced the offense with his 2-for-5 afternoon. A trio of Titans recorded an RBI in the contest.

IWU used five hurlers to cover the nine innings. Senior Aiden Smith (Marengo, Ill.-Marengo) took the loss out of the Titan bullpen. Aiden Smith logged three innings on the bump, while striking out three.

IWU will take to the field Tuesday, April 11 against Midwest Conference opponent Illinois College for a midweek showdown at Horenberger Field in Bloomington. First pitch between the Titans at Blueboys is set for 5 p.m.

 
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