TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Elmhurst University baseball team dropped a four-game series with Rose-Hulman on the road this past weekend, March 14-16.

GAME ONE | ELMHURST 6, ROSE-HULMAN 8 (11 INN.)

After trailing 6-2 heading into the eighth inning, Rose-Hulman mounted a remarkable comeback, scoring four runs to tie the game and pushing it into extra innings. The game remained deadlocked until the 11th inning when Rose-Hulman secured the win with a two-run homer.

Elmhurst's standout performer was Rock Smith, who delivered an outstanding performance with two home runs, totaling all six RBIs and scoring twice, with a two-run home run and a grand slam in the game. Adan Nieves also contributed with two hits in four at-bats, while Jaden Mitchell and Zach Konrad each added a hit. On the mound, Charlie Smith started for Elmhurst, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out four. Jonathan Boyles took the loss after surrendering a two-run homer in the 11th inning.

The game started quietly, with neither team scoring in the first two innings. In the third inning, Elmhurst struck first with a two-run homer by Smith, taking a 2-0 lead. Rose-Hulman answered back in the fifth with two runs to tie the game. They then took the lead with two more runs in the sixth inning, making it 4-2, and extended their advantage to 6-2 with another pair of runs in the seventh.

However, Elmhurst battled back in the eighth inning, scoring four runs highlighted by Smith's grand slam to tie the game 6-6. Both teams failed to score in the ninth and tenth innings, sending the game into extra innings. Finally, in the 11th inning, Rose-Hulman sealed the victory with a two-run homer, closing out the game 8-6. 

GAME TWO | ELMHURST 4, ROSE-HULMAN 15 (7 INN.)

Rose-Hulman secured a dominant 15-4 victory over Elmhurst in a non-conference game held at Terre Haute, Indiana. The Fighting Engineers exploded offensively, recording 16 hits and four home runs while capitalizing on Elmhurst's pitching struggles.

Elmhurst managed to put up four runs on eight hits but was ultimately overpowered by Rose-Hulman's relentless offensive onslaught. Rock Smith led the way with a two-hit performance, including a home run and two RBIs. Evan Johnson also contributed with two hits, but the rest of the lineup struggled to maintain consistency.

Davis Maifield took the loss for Elmhurst, allowing seven runs on seven hits over 2.1 innings, including one home run. Logan Leach and Brendan Fleming pitched in relief but struggled as well, giving up a combined eight runs and three home runs. Rose-Hulman's pitching staff, led by starter Judson, kept Elmhurst in check by allowing just four runs and recording six strikeouts.

Rose-Hulman jumped to an early lead with one run in the first inning, but Elmhurst responded in the third with a two-run shot from Smith to briefly take the lead. However, the Fighting Engineers roared back with six runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run homer from O'Connell. Rose-Hulman extended their advantage with three more runs in the fourth inning, courtesy of back-to-back doubles by Rogers and Summers.

Elmhurst cut the deficit with a solo home run in the fifth, but Rose-Hulman responded immediately with a run of their own, maintaining a comfortable cushion. The Engineers put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on two towering home runs from Harms and Summers. Despite Elmhurst's best efforts, they were unable to mount a comeback as Rose-Hulman's pitching remained effective throughout the game.

GAME THREE | ELMHURST 10, ROSE-HULMAN 11

In a thrilling game three, the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers edged out the Bluejays with a final score of 11-10. Rose-Hulman made a strong statement with a five-run third inning and held off a late push by Elmhurst to secure the victory.

Elmhurst's offensive effort was led by Zach Konrad, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Calvin Keith also had a standout performance, recording three hits in five at-bats, including two doubles and driving in two runs. Carson Gnade contributed with a 2-for-4 effort, scoring once and driving in two runs. Noah Rasmussen added two RBIs on one hit. On the mound, Joseph Ingratta struggled in his 2.1 innings of work, giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out one. Michael Conway came in as relief, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits.

The game started with a bang as Elmhurst jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first inning. Elmhurst capitalized on key hits and took advantage of Rose-Hulman's early pitching struggles. Rose-Hulman responded with a run in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1.

In the second inning, Rose-Hulman added another run, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The third inning proved to be pivotal as Rose-Hulman erupted for five runs, taking advantage of a series of hits and a costly error, putting them ahead 7-3. Elmhurst was held scoreless in the third inning, unable to answer back.

Elmhurst chipped away at the lead with a run in the fourth, but Rose-Hulman kept them at bay. In the fifth, the Fightin' Engineers added three more runs to extend their lead to 10-4. Elmhurst managed to score a run in the sixth inning, but the momentum remained with Rose-Hulman.

The seventh inning saw a resurgence from Elmhurst, as they rallied with three runs to tighten the contest to 10-8. Rose-Hulman's pitching started to falter, and Elmhurst sensed an opportunity. The Bluejays continued their comeback with two more runs in the eighth, bringing the score to 10-10.

In a dramatic ninth inning, Rose-Hulman managed to push across the go-ahead run, securing an 11-10 lead. Landon Banazynski was unable to hold the score for Elmhurst, and despite a valiant effort to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, Rose-Hulman's defense held strong, preserving their hard-fought victory.

GAME FOUR | ELMHURST 7, ROSE-HULMAN 10

In the series finale, Elmhurst fell, 10-7, where Rose-Hulman held off a late Elmhurst rally to secure the victory. 

Leading the offensive effort for Elmhurst was Evan Johnson, who blasted a two-run home run, finishing the game with 2 RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage. Calvin Keith had an impressive game, going 2-for-3 with two walks and scoring once, while Rock Smith contributed two hits in five at-bats, reaching base three times. 

The scoring began in the bottom of the first inning when Rose-Hulman plated a run on a sacrifice fly. They added another in the second with a solo home run by O'Connell to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, Rose-Hulman extended their advantage with a two-run inning, making it 4-0.

Elmhurst responded in the fifth inning when Johnson hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 4-2. Rose-Hulman answered right back in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 5-2. In the sixth, Elmhurst scored once to make it 5-3, but Rose-Hulman's pitching kept the momentum in their favor.

In the seventh, both teams scored runs—Elmhurst tallied one, while Rose-Hulman plated two more on a clutch hit to make it 7-4. Elmhurst's big inning came in the eighth when they erupted for four runs to tie the game at 7-7, highlighted by timely hits and walks. However, Rose-Hulman responded strongly in the bottom of the eighth with three runs to retake a 10-7 lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the game.

Despite a late push from Elmhurst, Rose-Hulman's pitching and defense held firm, sealing a hard-fought victory.

UP NEXT

The Bluejays are back in action on Thursday, MArch 20th, kicing off their stay in the Sunshine State against Massachusets College of Liberal Arts at 11:30 a.m. CT in Davenport, Fla.

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