JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Elmhurst rode a five-run fourth inning and solid pitching to a 7-2 victory over Northland. With the win, the Bluejays are off to their best start since the 2013 season.
Elmhurst (5-1) sent 11 batters to the plate in the big fourth inning that included three hits, four walks, and two passed balls.
Greg Struck started off the frame with a hit, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice. With
A.J. Compton on first,
Matt Wilson and
Trey Compton delivered back-to-back base knocks with Trey scoring his brother A.J. Later in the inning, Wilson and
Trey Compton both crossed the plate on passed balls.
Brett Bayer, Trivis Packard,
Reagan McReynolds, and
Brandon Kressner all walked, scoring another Bluejay run. After a pitching change, Havel scored Pickard on a sacrifice fly to left to wrap up Elmhurst's scoring in the inning.
Ben Havel also started on the mound for the Bluejays, tossing 6.2 innings of two-run ball. He struck out nine, while only allowing four hits.
Chris Eberhart did not allow a hit in 2.1 innings, sealing the Bluejay victory.
Alex Elliot put the Lumberjacks (4-5) on the scoreboard first with an RBI double in the first.
A.J. Compton manufactured the tying run by singling, stealing second, advancing to third on a flyout, and scoring on a wild pitch.
The Bluejays pulled ahead with their five-run fourth and never looked back. Northland added a run in the seventh, but once again Elmhurst responded with one of its own, this time off an RBI double by Kressner.
Offensively, Kressner led the way with a pair of RBIs for the Bluejays, while Struck, Compton, and Wilson all recorded two hits each.
Northland's Carson Ferry took the loss, allowing six runs, four hits, and walking seven in 3.1 innings. Ernie Robrecht settled everything down for the Lunberjacks, pitching 5.2 and allowing just one run on six hits. Mitch Howard notched two of Northland's four hits in the contest.
Elmhurst finishes their Jacksonville weekend tomorrow against Loras College. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
