O'FALLON, Ill. - Opening weekend came to a close with a 4-3 win over Central College as the Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team improved to 2-1 on the season Sunday, Feb. 25. The Titans thwarted a Dutch comeback with a two-run sixth to grab the victory.

In the bottom of the second, junior Cade Tomhave (Pittsfield, Ill.-Pittsfield) doubled down the left field line before scoring on a single from senior Tristan Figus (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Buffalo Grove), giving the Titans a 1-0 lead. 

After sophomore Cole Shamhart (Oak Park, Ill.-Oak Park River Forest) tossed a 1-2-3 top half of the third, senior Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) hit IWU's first home run of the season to double the lead, 2-0, into the fourth.

IWU gave up one run in the top of the fourth but maintained a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning, where Central jumped ahead. Back-to-back singles to start the frame eventually came around to score as the Dutch plated two runs on three hits to climb to a 3-2 advantage.

The Green and White came back to the plate following another 1-2-3 inning from Shamhart and quickly reclaimed the lead. Senior Jacob Cyrus (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) and sophomore Jimmy Gurgone (Mokena, Ill.-St. Laurence) singled to start the frame, before a sacrifice bunt put two in scoring position. Sophomore Tommy Willard (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) was later plunked in a pinch hitting opportunity to bring home a run, with junior Casey Swanson (Minooka, Ill.-Minooka) also taking a HBP to bring in the go-ahead run.'

Sophomore Will Davidsemeier (Virginia, Ill.-Beardstown) entered in relief in the seventh, working around an error to toss a scoreless frame and keep IWU's 4-3 edge intact into the eighth.

Junior Luke Schwab (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) took it from there, throwing the final two innings, to preserve the win. Schwab fanned the side in the eighth and struck out two more in the ninth en route to earning the save.

IWU had 13 hits to the Dutch's eight, with each team finishing with two extra-base hits. The Green and White stole four bases, with Central swiping one. 

Three Titans collected multi-hit games, with Figus leading the way with a 4-for-4 showing that included a pair of RBIs. Woltman went 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk, while junior Justin Gadomski (Schaumburg, Ill.-Schaumburg) finished 2-for-4. 

On the mound, Shamhart went six innings as the starter, while picking up his first win of the season and striking out six. Davidsmeier and Schwab were strong in relief, combining for six K's over three hitless innings.

The Titans are back in St. Louis next weekend to play the Bears of Washington University in St. Louis. There is a double header on Saturday, March 2 at 12 and 3 p.m. with a game the following day at 1 p.m. against the Bears as well.