DAVENPORT, Fla. - The Elmhurst University baseball team dominated MCLA with a convincing 14-1 victory on Thursday (Mar. 20) to open their stay in the Sunshine State.

Elmhurst capitalized on offensive firepower and solid pitching to secure the win at a neutral site. Scoring early and often, the Bluejays never looked back after a four-run first inning, piling on runs in almost every frame. Elmhurst improved to a 4-8 record, while MCLA fell to 2-8 on the season.

Elmhurst's offense was led by Evan Johnson, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs, five RBIs, and three runs scored. Rock Smith also contributed significantly, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a run scored. Marty Fraga reached base three times with a hit, two walks, and a hit by pitch, scoring twice. The Bluejays accumulated 12 hits in total, including two doubles and two home runs, and were aggressive on the base paths with two stolen bases. Defensively, Elmhurst played error-free baseball, recording 21 putouts and five assists.

Charlie Smith earned the win for Elmhurst, tossing all seven innings and allowing one earned run on eight hits, striking out five, and walking one.

The game started explosively for Elmhurst, as they posted four runs in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Johnson. They continued their offensive surge with a solo run in the second inning, driven in by a sacrifice fly from R. Smith.

In the top of the third, MCLA managed to push across their lone run, courtesy of a double by Bissaillo that drove in Warriar. Elmhurst quickly responded with another run in the bottom half of the third, thanks to R. Smith's RBI single.

The fourth inning proved disastrous for MCLA as Elmhurst exploded for six runs, with Johnson's second homer of the game delivering a major blow. The relentless attack featured timely hits, defensive miscues by MCLA, and aggressive base running, pushing the lead to 12-1.

Elmhurst tacked on an insurance run in both the fifth and sixth innings to extend the lead to 14-1. The Bluejays' defense remained steady, and  closed out the game with efficient pitching, allowing no further scoring from MCLA.

With consistent offense and dominant pitching, Elmhurst cruised to a lopsided victory, sending MCLA back to the drawing board.

UP NEXT

Elmhurs takes on Framingham State tomorrow afternoon in Auburndale, Fla. with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.

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