CRESTWOOD, Ill. - The Elmhurst University baseball team split a pair of games Saturday afternoon, defeating Illinois Tech, 7-6, while falling to Kalamazoo, 15-5, in seven innings at Ozinga Field.

GAME ONE | ELMHURST 7, ILLINOIS TECH 6

In a closely contested matchup at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Elmhurst secured a thrilling 7-6 victory over Illinois Tech. The game remained scoreless through the first four innings before both teams found offensive sparks in the later frames. Illinois Tech put up a five-run sixth inning, but Elmhurst responded with timely hitting in the later innings, including a decisive three-run ninth to clinch the win.

Elmhurst's offense was led by Rock Smith, who contributed multiple hits, including a clutch RBI single. Evan Johnson also played a key role with a two-run single in the fifth inning. The team collectively racked up nine hits and demonstrated strong plate discipline, drawing several key walks. Defensively, Elmhurst played a clean game, committing no errors while stranding Illinois Tech runners in critical situations.

Elmhurst's pitching staff navigated some tough innings but ultimately held Illinois Tech in check. Charlie Smith started on the mound, keeping Illinois Tech scoreless through five innings. Carson Gnade and Landon Banazynski provided relief appearances, with Banaszynski shutting down Illinois Tech's final offensive push in the ninth.

The first four innings were a pitcher's duel, with both teams struggling to generate offense. Elmhurst's Charlie Smith kept Illinois Tech off balance, while Illinois Tech's starter, Weis, worked efficiently to prevent Elmhurst from capitalizing on early baserunners.

In the fifth inning, Elmhurst broke the deadlock when Johnson delivered a two-run single, driving in Marty Fraga and Logan Bryant. Illinois Tech failed to respond in their half of the inning, keeping the score at 2-0 in favor of Elmhurst.

Illinois Tech surged ahead in the sixth with a five-run explosion. A series of hits, including a key triple, along with a defensive miscue, allowed them to take a 5-2 lead. Elmhurst's bullpen managed to stop the damage before Illinois Tech could extend their lead further.

The seventh inning saw Elmhurst chip away at the deficit. Rock Smith singled to drive in a run, followed by another RBI hit to bring the score to 5-4. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth, setting the stage for a dramatic ninth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Illinois Tech added an insurance run to make it 6-4. However, Elmhurst refused to back down. Tommy Wichgers drew a walk, and a clutch single by Connor Drowns brought home a run. With two runners on, Elmhurst capitalized on a pitching change, scoring two more runs to complete the comeback and seal a 7-6 victory.

GAME TWO | ELMHURST 5, KALAMAZOO 15 (7 INN.)

Elmhurst took on Kalamazoo in game two, with Kalamazoo ultimately taking the victory, 15-5 in seven innings. Elmhurst managed five runs on four hits, but defensive struggles and timely hitting by Kalamazoo led to their defeat.

Elmhurst's offense was led by Marty Fraga, who recorded a single in the first inning. Brett Vercruyss added a hit and a stolen base, while Rock Smith reached base multiple times, drawing a walk and making solid contact. Noah Rasmussen recorded the only extra-base hit for Elmhurst, a ground-rule double in the fifth inning. Jaden Mitchell showed patience at the plate, drawing a crucial walk that helped fuel Elmhurst's scoring innings. On the mound, Davis Maifield got the start for Elmhurst and pitched three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out three. The bullpen struggled in relief, giving up crucial runs in the later innings, which ultimately put the game out of reach.

Elmhurst's offense started slow in the first inning, as Fraga opened with a single to right field, but the inning quickly turned as Vercruyss struck out swinging and Fraga was caught stealing at second. Smith then flied out to end the frame. On the mound, Maifield pitched a clean bottom of the first, allowing a leadoff hit but escaping with a strikeout and two routine outs. Elmhurst struck first in the top of the second. Mitchell worked a walk, followed by Drowns also drawing a free pass. With two runners on, a defensive miscue allowed both to advance. Wichgers then delivered a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run. Moments later, Blake Gould's groundout scored another, giving Elmhurst a 2-0 lead. Kalamazoo responded immediately, tagging Maifield for two runs in the bottom half. A walk, a hit, and a passed ball allowed both runners to reach scoring position before a two-run single tied the game.

Both offenses quieted down for the next few frames. In the third, Fraga flied out to right field, Vercruyss popped up to first base, and Smith drew a walk but was left stranded as Mitchell struck out swinging. In the fourth, Elmhurst got a leadoff walk from Drowns, but Wichgers flied out and Gould struck out looking. Kalamazoo was also held in check by Maifield, who recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless frame. The fifth inning saw Rasmussen rip a ground-rule double to put a runner in scoring position, but Elmhurst failed to capitalize as the next three batters were retired.

Elmhurst erupted for three runs in the top of the sixth. Mitchell drew a leadoff walk, and after a pitching change, Drowns followed with another walk. A wild pitch moved the runners up before Wichgers lined a single up the middle, driving in one. After another free pass loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice allowed two more runs to score, pushing Elmhurst ahead 5-2. Unfortunately, Kalamazoo responded with an offensive outburst in the bottom half. After loading the bases, a two-run single followed by an RBI hit-by-pitch brought in three runs, tying the game once more.

Elmhurst got a leadoff single from Vercruyss in the top of the seventh, who then stole second, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. However, back-to-back flyouts and a strikeout stranded him at second. Kalamazoo capitalized on Elmhurst's missed opportunity, stringing together hits and taking advantage of defensive lapses to score multiple runs in the bottom of the seventh, sealing the game in run-rule fashion.

UP NEXT

The Bluejays take on both Kalamzoo and Illinois Tech again tomorrow, March 9, at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. The Jays take on Kalamazoo at 10am, and Illinois Tech at 4:00pm.

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