LAFAYETTE, IN The Bluejays traveled to Indiana over the weekend, to play a four-game series against College of Wooster (OH) and Illinois Institute of Technology.
Game 1
Elmhurst 11, Illinois Tech. 10
W: Boyles, Jonathan • L: Weis • S: Fraga, Marty
Elmhurst took the initiative early on in the bottom of the first, with Rock Smith doubling out to left center field to bring Brett Vercruysse home. Two singles and an error progressed with two more RBI by Timothy O'connell, and Zach Konrad.
Rock Smith and Zach Konrad led the charge at the plate, each driving in three runs, while Adan Nieves grabbed a two-run home run in the seventh inning to cap off the Bluejays' score. Brett Vercruysse set the tone at the top of the lineup with two hits and two runs scored, with consistent scoring effort that kept the Bluejays ahead throughout the middle innings.
Jonathan Boyles provided a solid foundation, he controlled 6.0 innings throwing 81 pitches with 4 ground outs while allowing 6 runs on 7 hits. Michael Conway came in for middle relief, throwing 60 pitches for a 2.1 inning stretch allowing 4 runs. Marty Fraga closed out protecting the shrinking lead, throwing 12 pitches to close the game win 11-10.
Game 2
College of Wooster 11, Elmhurst 3
W: Scarpelli (1-2) • L: Krueger (0-1)
HR: Luke Rizzo (1)
The Bluejays struggled to overcome a fourth-inning surge from the Fighting Scots. Luke Rizzo highlighted the game with a home run in the third inning. Evan Johnson provided a bright spot for the Bluejays, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth, while Adan Nieves, Landon Truong, Timothy O'Connell and Ryder Johnson each added hits.
Jack Krueger took the loss, pushing through 3.1 innings striking out two. Logan Leach came in to pitch for 3.2 innings creating a bridge to strike out 6 batters. Christopher Ludwig came in to close out the last inning throwing 23 pitches allowing 1 Hit.
Game 3
Wooster 13, Elmhurst 4
W: Spring (1-0) •L: Banaszynski (0-1)
Wooster jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st. Rock Smith doubled in the box with an RBI to let Brett Vercruysse score. Wooster used a 4th inning to create a 6-1 lead.
The Bluejays came back in the sixth inning with Timothy O'Connell singled to advance to second. Followed by Zach Konrad advancing on an error from Wooster's infield to allow O'Connell and Smith to score, closing the lead to 9-4.
On the mound, Elmhurst's Landon Banaszynski finished the day with three strikeouts while taking the loss, battling through 4.0 innings. Jack Goergen came in to pitch two innings with three strikeouts, Charlie Hoeper came in for an inning to bridge the gap with one strike out across 30 pitches, and Robert Drake closed the game with 39 pitches
Game 4
Illinois Tech. 11, Elmhurst 7
W: Belflower (1-0) • L: Rzonca (0-1)
HR: Fraga (1)
Elmhurst opened the game in the second inning with a home run from Marty Fraga bringing in Tommy Wichger who singled with an RBI earlier in the inning to advance Timothy O'Connell. Ryder Johnson grounded to third base with Zach Konrad bringing it home, with a 4-0 that was topped off when O'Connell singled to center allowing Evan Johnson to score with a 5-0. The Scarlet came back in fifth with two walks to bring the score 6-5 Illinois Tech.
Fraga tied the game in the sixth to get Wichgers home, Elmhurst kept the score tied through the top of the eighth inning. Illinois Tech. regained control in the eighth with an 11-6 lead. Elmhurst pushed to get on base in the ninth allowing Brett Varcruysse to score, closing the game 11-7 Illinois Tech.
Pitching four innings, Adan Nieves threw 84, allowing Scarlet Hawks to make contact four times. Alex Rzonca bridge for 3.1 innings with 48 pitches striking out three, while Aidan Nelson closed out the last inning.
The Bluejays will be back on the diamond for a double header, Saturday, March 14 against Illinois college in Jacksonville, Ill. with a first pitch at noon.
