BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team is gearing up for a full weekend of action as the Titans host their College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener against North Park University on Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m. The team will then hit the road for a Saturday afternoon game at North Park, scheduled for 1 p.m., before returning home for a Sunday showdown with Carroll University at noon on March 30.
The Titans finished 2-2 over the weekend, with a dominant victory over Principia College to start things off. IWU erupted for a 21-0 win, with senior Dalen Banks (Springfield, Ill.-Springfield) earning his third win of the season on the mound. Banks struck out seven batters and allowed just one hit over five innings. The Green and White were on fire offensively, as four players registered multiple hits. Sophomore John Philip Ferraro (Oak Park, Ill.-Oak Park River Forest) and junior Jack Flagg (River Forest, Ill.-Oak Park River Forest) both belted home runs, while senior Tyler Woltman (Wheaton, Ill.-Wheaton North) and junior Gage Wolfe (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) each drove in three RBIs.
IWU's second victory came in a series against Wabash College, where the Titans finished 1-2 to the Little Giants. In the lone win, junior Will Davidsmeier (Virginia, Ill.-Bearstown) earned the victory, improving his record to 1-2. Davidsmeier tossed a strong seven innings, striking out three batters and allowing just three hits. Offensively, Woltman went 3-for-4 as the designated hitter, leading the team with three RBIs, one run, and a double. Senior Cade Tomhave (Pittsfield, Ill.-Pittsfield) finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Illinois Wesleyan (7-8) and North Park (4-12) have a long-standing rivalry dating back to 1988. In the all-time series, the Titans hold a commanding 64-29 advantage, though recent matchups have been more competitive. North Park has won four of the last five meetings, including the most recent clash on May 4, 2024, when IWU lost 15-2 in seven innings. In that game, then-sophomore Tommy Willard (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) went 1-for-3, scoring a run and driving in an RBI.
On Sunday, the Titans will face Carroll University (9-8) for the 23rd time in the series history. IWU holds a 16-6 all-time edge and has won the last five matchups. The Titans swept the Pioneers in last season's series, with victories of 12-2, 3-0, and a thrilling 7-6 win in the final game. In the dramatic conclusion, then-junior William Duff (Western Springs, Ill.-St. Ignatius) delivered a clutch hit in the bottom of the tenth inning, driving in the game-winning run with two outs and runners on second and third.
In conference play, Illinois Wesleyan leads the CCIW in batting average, boasting a .325 mark, just ahead of North Central (.321) and Carthage (.302). Tomhave continues to shine, sitting atop the league with a .468 batting average and a .587 on-base percentage.
For live stats and streaming links for all three games, visit the Illinois Wesleyan baseball schedule page at iwusports.com.
