Box Score

ELMHURST, Ill. - Tyler Wargo smashed a two-run walk-off double to lift the Elmhurst College baseball team to a 7-6 victory over Concordia University-Chicago in the Bluejays' home-opening contest at Butterfield Park.

Wargo's double capped a wild ninth inning that saw both teams score three times. 

Trailing 4-3 after eight innings, Concordia jumped out in front by plating three runs in the top of the ninth. Nick Skala doubled home the tying run. After a single and a hit batter, the Cougars had the bases loaded with one out. Eric Ignatowski grounded into a fielders choice with Skala being thrown out at the plate. Pinch hitter Kevin Rush walked to force in the go-ahead run. Dan Eichholzer followed with a bunt single to to give Concordia a 6-4 lead. Shawn Miller flew out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Concordia's Pat Conlin retired the first batter, before Elmhurst got rolling. Dan Matkovic started the rally with a one-out single. A Concordia error allowed to Dan Bosco to reach first. Dave Wolak followed with a single to load the bases and Jake Bronkema drew a bases loaded walk to force in the tying run. Wargo capped the rally by smacking the game-winning two-run double to right field. 

Concordia jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Miller's two-run double. Elmhurst cut the lead in half n the bottom of the third when Bosco singled home a run. Matkovic's RBI double in the fifth tied the score at 2-2, and Marc Shield's pinch hit sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth put Elmhurst on top 3-2. Bronkema singled home a run in the seventh to give Elmhurst a 4-2 lead. Concordia added a run in the eighth on Eichholzer's run-scoring single, setting the stage for six-run ninth inning. 

Bronkema and Wargo recorded two hits apiece and each drove in two runs. Matkovic and Bosco each collected two hits and drove in a run for the Bluejays.

Jordan Hanlon made the start for Elmhurst and took a no-decision. Hanlon worked five innings and allowed seven hits and two runs. He walked two while fanning three. Zach Hofer earned the win in relief despite surrendering three hits and three runs in the top of the ninth.

Elmhurst travels to Carthage College on Saturday, April 2.