KENOSHA, Wis. – The Elmhurst baseball team scored 12 runs but it wasn't enough as the Bluejays dropped a 19-12 slugfest at Carthage College.
 
Elmhurst (12-7, 3-3 CCIW) jumped out to an early 9-1 lead after an eight-run third inning, but Carthage (16-3, 3-0 CCIW) responded scoring 18 runs over the final four innings to pull away for the victory.
 
With the score even at 1-1 after two innings, the Bluejays sent 11 batters to the plate in the second inning and scored eight runs. Three straight hits with one out loaded the bases for the Bluejays. Jordan Scrimpsher walked to force in a run and Christian Ott was hit by a pitch to drive in another Elmhurst run. A wild pitch gave the Bluejays a three-run cushion. Trevor Horwath singled in a run and Reagan McReynolds knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly. Trey Compton delivered the big blow in the inning, belting a three-run homer to put Elmhurst up 9-1.
 
Carthage answered back in the bottom of the fifth, cashing in on an Elmhurst error to score seven runs, including four unearned runs. The Red Men took advantage of another Elmhurst error in the sixth to score three runs (two unearned) and take an 11-9 lead in the process. Three more Carthage runs in the seventh gave the Red Men a 14-9 cushion.
 
Elmhurst made things interesting in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, Matt Wilson drew a walk to force in a run. Karson Thomas delivered a two-run pinch hit single to pull Elmhurst to within two runs at 14-12, but a flyout and strikeout ended the Bluejays' inning.
 
Carthage tacked on five insurance runs in the bottom of the eight to pull away for the seven-run victory.
 
Scrimpsher led Elmhurst at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three driven in. Compton collected two hits and drove in three while McReynolds, Jacob McMillan and Wilson all totaled two hits each in the loss.
 
Ryan Dalton paced Carthage with four hits and five RBIs. Nick Pierce and Vince Schwartz drove in three runs apiece for the Red Men.
 
Austin MacMillan made the start and took a no-decision, working 4.2 innings and allowing nine hits and four earned runs.. He walked one and fanned four. Alex Kielion took the loss in relief, surrendering three hits and one earned run in one inning of work.
 
Carthage's Ian Maxeiner earned the win in relief, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out five.
 
Elmhurst travels to Millikin University for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 7.