ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University baseball team grabbed an early lead but couldn't hold off Millikin University, falling 6-1 in a Sunday afternoon CCIW matchup at Butterfield Park.
The Bluejays (9-28) struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Tommy Wichgers drew a walk to open the frame, advanced on a single by Rock Smith, and came around to score when Carson Gnade ripped a single to right field. Elmhurst carried a 1-0 lead into the fifth, but Millikin (18-18) responded with a pair of runs to jump ahead and never looked back.
Elmhurst was limited to just five hits on the day, with Gnade leading the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and the team's only RBI. Wichgers scored the Bluejays' lone run, adding a stolen base, while Erik Malott chipped in a double. Smith reached base twice with a hit and a walk. On the mound, Joseph Ingratta delivered a solid start, allowing just two runs across six innings, but took the loss to fall to 1-5 on the season.
Millikin pulled away with a big seventh inning, as Sam Bushur blasted a solo home run and Andy Niebrugge followed with a two-run shot to extend the lead to 5-1. Bushur later added an RBI double in the eighth to finish the day 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Millikin's Adam Mallinder (5-3) was outstanding on the mound, striking out 12 Bluejay hitters over 7.1 innings while allowing just three hits.
Elmhurst returns to action on Wednesday, April 30, hosting Wheaton College in another CCIW contest. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
