BRADENTON, Fla. - The Elmhurst University baseball team dropped a Saturday-afternoon doubleheader with NYU at IMG Academy on March 22.
GAME ONE | ELMHURST 1, NYU 4
Despite a strong effort, Elmhurst fell to NYUÂ by a score of 4-1 in the opening game. The Bluejays struggled to generate offense, managing just one run on six hits while committing one error. NYU capitalized on their opportunities, scoring four runs on six hits with one error.
The standout performer for Elmhurst was Tommy Wichgers, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Brett Vercruyss also contributed with an RBI single, driving in the team's lone run in the eighth inning. On the mound, Joseph Ingratta pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Davis Maifield followed with three innings of relief, giving up one run while striking out two. Brendan Fleming pitched a clean eighth inning, facing the minimum three batters.
New York took the lead early, scoring a run in the first inning on a solo home run by C. Dunn. The Bluejays struggled to respond, going hitless through the first three innings. New York extended their lead in the fourth inning with a pair of runs off Ingratta, making it 3-0. Elmhurst's pitching stabilized as Maifield came in and kept New York scoreless for the next three innings.
In the seventh inning, New York scratched across an insurance run to make it 4-0. The Bluejays broke through in the eighth inning when Wichgers singled and advanced on a double by Erik Malott, allowing Vercruyss to drive in Wichgers with a single to left field. However, that would be Elmhurst's only run as New York's closer shut the door in the ninth to secure the victory.
GAME TWO | ELMHURST 1, NYU 12 (7 INN.)
NYU dominated Elmhurst with a convincing 12-1 victory in game two. NYU's explosive fourth inning set the tone, where they scored eight runs, and they continued to add to their lead in the fifth and sixth innings. Elmhurst struggled to generate offense, managing only one run in the third inning.
Elmhurst managed only two hits in the game, with Logan Bryant contributing a double and Rock Smith recording a single. Bryant also drove in the team's lone run. On the mound, Michael Conway took the loss, giving up seven earned runs on six hits over 3.2 innings, while Logan Leach and Landon Banaszyns combined to pitch the remainder of the game, allowing five earned runs on five hits.
The game began with both teams going scoreless in the first inning as starting pitchers Conway and A. Turco-Riv settled in quickly, showing command on the mound. The second inning continued in a similar fashion, with neither side managing to push a run across, keeping the game locked at 0-0. In the third inning, Elmhurst broke through first when Bryant doubled, driving in Connor Drowns to give Elmhurst a brief 1-0 lead. NYU remained scoreless in the bottom of the inning as Conway continued to pitch effectively.
The momentum of the game shifted dramatically in the fourth inning, as NYU erupted for eight runs to seize control. The offensive explosion was highlighted by N. Pallotta's grand slam, which put NYU firmly in command. Conway struggled to find his rhythm and was eventually replaced by Leach, but the damage had already been done. NYU's offensive outburst left Elmhurst reeling, with the score now 8-1.
In the fifth inning, NYU continued to build on their lead, adding one more run to make it 9-1. The Violets took advantage of hits and walks to maintain their dominance. The sixth inning saw NYU strike again with three more runs, including a two-run double by H. Blueweiss, putting the game well out of reach at 12-1. Elmhurst's bats remained quiet, unable to find any rhythm or momentum.
The seventh inning marked the final stretch as NYU's bullpen shut down Elmhurst's hitters, preserving the decisive 12-1 victory. The Bluejays were unable to mount any sort of comeback, and the game concluded after seven innings. NYU's pitching staff, led by A. Turco-Riv, held Elmhurst to just two hits while striking out seven and allowing only one run. The Violets' balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Bluejays, who were overwhelmed after the explosive fourth inning.
UP NEXT
Elmhurst takes Sunday to rest before squaring off with Carleton at 2:30 p.m. CT on Monday, March 24.
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