Baseball Drops Close Saturday Games at UW-Platteville

The Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks traveled to Wisconsin on April 1 for the first of two doubleheaders against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers. The Scarlet Hawks dropped an extra-inning affair (6-5 in 12 innings) in game one before falling 3-2 in a seven-inning game to close out the day.

How it Happened – Game One

  • The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead, scoring on RBI singles in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 advantage.  
  • Illinois Tech starter Kyle Bumpass settled in over the next three frames, not allowing any runs while surrendering just one hit. Over that time, the Scarlet Hawks took advantage on offense, as a Zachary Dickey solo home run in the fourth and a four-run fifth inning gave the team a 5-2 lead.
  • The Pioneers would even up the score in the bottom of the sixth, scoring on a wild pitch, passed ball, and a ground out to tie things up at 5-5.
  • Bullpens took over for the remainder of the contest. Dylan Corsi and Matt Witkowski threw a combined four scoreless frames as the game went into the 12th inning still tied.
  • Illinois Tech threatened in the top of the 11th, as the final out was recorded at third base. The Pioneers capitalized, hitting a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the 12th.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts – Game One

  • Bumpass put together another impressive outing, pitching into the eighth inning and allowing four earned runs.
  • Corsi pitched a scoreless inning. Witkowski pitched three innings and allowed just one run.
  • Dickey was two-for-five with the solo home run.
  • Jonathon Wilcox was two-for-five with two RBI.
  • James Tarala (two-for-five) and Christian Lopez (one-for-five) also drove in runs. Ted Howell (two-for-five) also had a multi-hit game.

Stats to Know – Game One

  • Each team tallied 11 hits.
  • Wisconsin-Platteville recorded three extra-base hits. Dickey’s home run was the only XBH for Illinois Tech.
  • Each team stole two bases. Orlando Cardenas-Juan and Jake Menard swiped bags for the Scarlet Hawks.
  • Illinois Tech pitchers were aided by three Platteville double plays. Illinois Tech also did not commit an error.

How it Happened – Game Two

  • The Pioneers jumped out in front in this contest, scoring on a two-RBI single in the first and an RBI double in the third to take a 3-0 lead.
  • Illinois Tech starter Ryan Cantlin settled in, coasting through the fifth inning. But the Scarlet Hawks could not get things going offensively, not recording a hit until a Tyler Tucker single in the sixth.
  • With the score still 3-0, the Scarlet Hawks offense came to life in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Witkowski doubled down the right field line, scoring two runs and putting the tying run on third base.
  • The Pioneers retired the final two batters of the contest to hold on for the win.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts – Game Two

  • Cantlin pitched five innings, allowing three runs and striking out four.
  • Kevin Hildreth pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
  • Tucker, Witkowski, and Cardenas-Juan were the only three players to hit safely.

Stats to Know – Game Two

  • UW-Platteville outhit the Scarlet Hawks 8-3.
  • It was a clean defensive contest, as just one error was committed combined (Illinois Tech).
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