CAROL STREAM, Ill. — Elmhurst battled but ultimately dropped both games of Saturday's CCIW doubleheader against Millikin, falling 10-1 in the opener and 7-2 in game two at Lee Pfund Stadium.

In game one, Millikin's offense came out firing and never looked back, piecing together a 15-hit performance to top Elmhurst 10-1. The Big Blue struck early, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. A fielding error in right field allowed Millikin to push across the first run, followed by a two-out RBI double from T. Gade. Millikin kept the pressure on with an RBI double from H. Stork in the second inning and a sacrifice fly from K. Koslofski in the fourth. Elmhurst momentarily answered in the bottom of the fourth, when Erik Malott delivered a two-out RBI single to score Carson Gnade, but that would prove to be the lone highlight for the Bluejays. Millikin added two more runs in the fifth on a fielder's choice and a double, tacked on another pair in the sixth with consecutive RBI singles, and put the game firmly out of reach with a two-run triple from Koslofski in the seventh.

Despite the loss, Elmhurst saw solid performances from Brett Vercruysse, who went 3-for-5 at the plate, and Rock Smith, who chipped in with a 2-for-4 effort. Gnade also reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. On the mound, Charlie Smith took the loss, allowing six runs over five innings, while the bullpen trio of Jonathan Boyles, Fox Weymouth, and Robert Brenneman combined for four innings of relief.

In game two, Millikin again struck first, but Elmhurst responded quickly. After a leadoff walk and a base hit, Evan Johnson drove in Marty Fraga with a sacrifice fly to even the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. However, Millikin capitalized on Elmhurst miscues in the third inning, plating three unearned runs after a throwing error opened the door for a 4-1 advantage. An RBI single from A. Niebrugge in the fifth extended Millikin's lead. Elmhurst's offense struggled to find momentum against Millikin starter C. Akins, who scattered two hits and struck out eight over 6.2 strong innings.

The Big Blue padded their lead late, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the eighth and a throwing error in the ninth. Elmhurst pushed across a second run in the final frame, when Rock Smith scored on an error following Erik Malott's fielder's choice grounder, but the rally fell short.

For the Bluejays in game two, Fraga, Johnson, and Noah Rasmussen each collected a hit. Rasmussen also reached base twice with a hit and a walk, while Rock Smith drew two free passes. Starter Jack Krueger was charged with the loss after six innings of work, allowing five runs (three earned) on 10 hits, and Adan Nieves pitched three innings of two-run relief.

Elmhurst now sits at 9-27 overall and 3-13 in the CCIW, while Millikin improves to 17-18 and 7-9 in conference play.