BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team is moving on in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament after earning a gritty, 4-3, victory over Millikin University on Thursday, May 8. With the win, the Titans improved to 27-13 overall and continued in the winner's side of the bracket, while the Big Blue dropped to 23-19 and will face elimination later tonight at 7 p.m.
Junior Jake Pullam (Palatine, Ill.–Palatine) got the start on the mound and turned in a strong six-inning performance. The right-hander struck out five and limited Millikin to a three-run third inning. Senior reliever Brady Hartman (Milan, Ill.–Sherrard) was called upon to preserve the lead and delivered three scoreless innings, striking out one and earning the save.
Offensively, IWU saw contributions throughout the lineup, led by sophomore John Philip Ferraro (Oak Park, Ill.–Oak Park River Forest), who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Freshman Matt Hudik (Frankfort, Ill.–Lincoln-Way East) continued to shine in the postseason, going 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. The Titans also executed well defensively, playing error-free baseball and recording eight hits over eight innings.
Illinois Wesleyan wasted no time putting pressure on the Big Blue. In the bottom of the first, Hudik got things started with a double down the left field line. He advanced to third on a wild pitch, and alert base running allowed him to score on a throwing error by the Millikin catcher, putting IWU ahead 1-0 early.
Millikin responded in the top of the third, stringing together key hits to score three runs and briefly take a 3-1 lead. The Titans, however, remained composed and did not allow another run for the rest of the game.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ferraro sparked the rally with a single through the right side, followed by a walk from senior Tristan Figus (Arlington Heights, Ill.–Buffalo Grove). Junior Gage Wolfe (Bloomington, Ill.–Bloomington) reached base to load the bases with just one out. Junior Jack Flagg (River Forest, Ill.–Oak Park River Forest) then came through in the clutch, lacing a single through the left side to bring in Ferraro and Figus, tying the game at 3-3.
Hudik, already a key contributor in the first inning, stepped up once more. The freshman delivered again with a single to right field, driving in Wolfe and giving the Titans a 4-3 lead.
From there, Hartman took control on the mound and, backed by solid defensive play, shut the door on any potential Millikin comeback.
With the win, IWU advances to the winner's bracket and will take the field again Friday, May 9 at 2 p.m. The Titans will face the winner of Thursday's 3:30 p.m. contest between North Central College and Carthage College.
