ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst baseball team totaled 10 hits, but came up just one run short in a 4-3 loss to Wheaton College at Butterfield Park.
 
Elmhurst slipped to 8-11 overall and 2-4 in the CCIW with the loss while Wheaton improved to 14-6 overall and 4-3 in league play.
 
Wheaton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a two-run homer from Joel Pierce. Elmhurst pulled even in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of a pair of Thunder errors. Back-to-back infield singles put two runners on for the Bluejays and a throwing error allowed both runners to move into scoring position with no outs. Kevin Johlie lifted a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Lorenzo Farino and Drew Raspolich came around to score from second base on a Wheaton throwing error to knot the score at 2-2.
 
Wheaton moved back in front in the top of the sixth as Sam Reichert delivered a two-out single to drive in Brett Albaugh. The Thunder took advantage of an Elmhurst throwing error in the seventh to extend their lead to 4-2.
 
Elmhurst cut the lead down to just one with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Kevin Johlie singled with one out and came around to score on Tyler Kledzik's double off the right field fence. Wheaton had a chance to add to its lead in the eighth, but Fred Birr throw out Jesse Welch at the plate on a squeeze play. Elmhurst nearly tied the game in the eighth, but Welch made a leaping grab at the fence of Jordan Scrimpsher's drive off the bat.
 
Elmhurst had one last chance in the ninth, moving the tying run into scoring position, but a pop-up ended the game for the Thunder.
 
Elmhurst finished with 10 hits in the loss, outhitting the Thunder by one. The Bluejays stranded nine runners on base in the loss. Drew Raspolich collected three of the Buejays' 10 hits in the loss while Trey Compton finished with two hits.
 
Connor Hartman and Albaugh finished with two hits each for Wheaton.
 
Alex Kielion pitched well for Elmhursst but took the loss. Kielion worked seven innings and scattered eight hits and four runs (just two earned). He walked one while striking out four. Birr pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Elmhurst.
 
Sam Arnold picked up the win for the Thunder, outdueling Kilion but tossing seven innings and allowing nine hits and three runs (two earned). He walked two and struck out five. David Solfelt earned the save for the Thunder by pitching a scoreless ninth and stranding two runners on base.
 
Elmhurst travels to Wheaton tomorrow (April 5) to finish the three-game series with a doubleheader.