The Illinois Tech Baseball team swept another doubleheader on April 15. The Scarlet Hawks defeated Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, winning 3-1 and 10-4 in two seven-inning contests. Illinois Tech has now won four straight games and eight out of its last nine.

How it Happened – Game One

• After a Tyler Tucker double in the first inning, first baseman Ted Howell reached on an error with two outs, leading to Tucker crossing the plate for an early Illinois Tech lead.
• Lawrence threatened in the bottom of the first with two baserunners, but Illinois Tech starter James Tarala escaped the jam. He proceeded to put things on cruise control, holding the Vikings scoreless until the sixth inning.
• Illinois Tech scored another run in the top of the sixth to make the score 2-0. Catcher Jonathon Wilcox singled in Zachary Dickey with one out.
• After a fielder’s choice plated Lawrence’s run in the bottom of the sixth, Orlando Cardenas-Juan used his speed to score on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh to take a 3-1 lead.
• Dylan Corsi closed the game out in the bottom of the seventh, earning his second save in as many days.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts – Game One

• Tarala earned his third win, tossing 5.2 innings of one-run ball. He struck out two and allowed just six hits and no walks.
• Corsi fired 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save, striking out two.
• Both Tucker (two-for-four, double, two runs) and Wilcox (two-for-three, RBI) had multi-hit games.

Stats to Know – Game One

• The two teams combined for just 12 hits.
• Neither team recorded a stolen base.

How it Happened – Game Two

• The offense came early and often for the Scarlet Hawks in this one. Wilcox got the scoring started with a bunt single with the bases loaded. Christian Lopez, the next batter, singled in another run to move the lead to 2-0.
• In the top of the second, Dickey added to the lead with a two-run single of his own.
• Illinois Tech’s biggest inning came in the top of the third, as five runs crossed the plate on three hits. Cardenas-Juan drove in a run on a single, Kyle Bumpass scored on a wild pitch, Dickey doubled in two runs, and Lopez drew an RBI walk.
• All the offense gave starting pitcher Matt Witkowski plenty of run support. Making his first start of the season, Witkowski was dynamite, retiring the first nine batters he faced.
• After Lawrence scored one run in the bottom of the fourth, Bumpass made the score 10-1 after a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth.
• Lawrence would score three more runs the rest of the way, but the Scarlet Hawks bullpen was able to silence the Vikings late. Evan Sexsmith induced a game-ending double play in the bottom of the seventh.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts – Game Two

• Witkowski allowed just one hit and one unearned run over four innings of work in his first start, striking out four en route to his first collegiate win.
• Dickey, the starting catcher for game two, was three-for-five with two doubles, four RBI, and a run scored.
• Tucker was a perfect three-for-three with three runs scored.
• DJ Rybski (two-for-four, two runs, double), Lopez (two-for-three, run, stolen base two RBI), and Wilcox (two-for-three, RBI) each recorded two hits.
• Sexsmith pitched a scoreless seventh inning

Stats to Know – Game Two

• Illinois Tech outhit the Vikings 15-2.
• The Vikings used six different pitchers in the contest.

Up Next

• Illinois Tech hosts Kalamazoo College on Tuesday, April 18 at 3 p.m. at Ed Glancy Field. Live audio, video, and stats will be available. The live audio will be powered by Illinois Media School.