Elmhurst, IL - Elmhurst baseball delivered offensively, a second game high of their season with 25 runs on 23 hits in their splitting the double header against North Central on the road.
Game 1
North Central 15, Elmhurst 10
W: B. Duvall (3-1) L: J. Krueger (1-5) S: E. Hammond (6)
The Bluejays wasted no time, coming in with three runs in the opening inning. Evan Johnson jumpstarted the offense with a triple before Javier Cervantes brought him home with an RBI single. The Bluejay's lineup continued to apply pressure as Logan Bryant and Joey Robinson added RBI singles, followed by Colin Adams driving in another run with a double down the line to give Elmhurst an early 3-0 advantage.
Elmhurst continued to generate frames throughout the game, stringing together hits across multiple innings. The Bluejays added to their total late in the game with a four-run ninth inning rally. Ryan Nugent led off with a double, Joey Robinson delivered a sacrifice fly to bring him in. Oliver Dugas followed with an RBI single, and Adan Nieves capped the rally with a two-RBI single to push Elmhurst into double digits, but came short with a final score of 15-10.
At the plate, Elmhurst saw production across the lineup. Evan Johnson led the way with three hits, including a triple and a double, while scoring a run. Colin Adams had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI, including multiple doubles. Oliver Dugas added two hits and two RBIs, and Logan Bryant contributed two hits and scored twice. Adan Nieves drove in two runs, while Joey Robinson added two RBIs. Ryan Nugent provided a spark off the bench with a double and a run scored, and Marty Fraga settled the lineup with an RBI and a walk. As a team, Elmhurst totaled 16 hits and 10 RBIs while drawing three walks.
On the mound, Jack Krueger took the loss after working 4.2 innings, throwing 96 pitches striking out two. Ryan McGinley provided solid relief, tossing 2.1 innings and allowing just one hit with one strikeout. Fox Weymouth closed for the Bluejays, allowing four runs on three hits.
Game 2
Elmhurst 25, North Central 21
W: L. Leach (3-3) L: C. Loomis (3-3)
HR: Smith (1), Truong (1)
The Bluejays took time finding their rhythm, showing up in the second inning with a seven-run frame to take control. Timothy O'Connell sparked the rally with a single before Landon Truong and Marty Fraga followed with base hits, including an RBI from Fraga to get Elmhurst on the board. The inning continued to snowball as Adan Nieves reached and advanced on a wild pitch. After Brett Vercruysse delivered a key two-RBI single up the middle, Javier Cervantes added an RBI walk. Rock Smith capped the inning with an RBI on a fielder's choice, and O'Connell added another RBI on a sacrifice fly to complete the seven-run surge, with the Bluejays leading by 3 after two.
Elmhurst kept the momentum rolling into the third inning, adding six more runs. Evan Johnson drove in a run with a double before Cervantes worked out another RBI walk. The highlight of the inning came when Rock Smith launched a grand slam to left field, bringing in four runs and extending the Bluejays' lead 13-4.
At the plate, Evan Johnson led the way with a 4-for-5 performance, scoring four runs and drawing three walks. Brett Vercruysse matched that effort with four hits, three runs, and three RBIs, while Rock Smith powered the offense with three hits, three runs, and a game-high seven RBIs, highlighted by his home run. Landon Truong also contributed three hits, three runs, and five RBIs, while Timothy O'Connell added three hits and two RBIs. Marty Fraga crossed the plate four times and recorded three hits, and Zach Konrad added to the rallies with two hits, two runs, and an RBI. As a team, the Bluejays drew 11 walks and struck out just three times, consistently creating scoring chances.
On the mound, Elmhurst used multiple arms to manage the game. Michael Conway opened but recorded no outs, allowing three runs. Logan Leach earned the win in relief, working 2.2 innings while allowing six runs and striking out one. Robert Brenneman and Alex Rzonca each made brief appearances, while Robert Drake provided 2.0 innings of relief, and Christopher Ludwig added 3.1 innings with two strikeouts. Marty Fraga closed out the final inning.
The Bluejays wrap up their season with this high scoring game, the Baseball team will return to action next spring. To keep up with camps and other events surrounding our Bluejays follow us on social media, or go to our website, elmhurstbluejays.com.
