McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team secured a significant victory against Carthage College on Sunday, April 21, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Titans achieved a 13-3 win by amassing fifteen hits, which moved them into a tie for first place with North Park in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin standings. With this result, Illinois Wesleyan improved their record to 21-9 overall and 10-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, Carthage fell to 20-9 overall and 8-5 in CCIW games.

Key players included Junior Justin Gadomski from Schaumburg, who had four hits during the game. Juniors Tyler Woltman from Wheaton and Jimmy Gurgone from Mokena contributed three hits each. Sophomore Jack Flagg from River Forest led the team with four RBIs while Gadomski added three more. Junior pitcher Dalen Banks from Springfield earned the win after pitching seven innings, recording four strikeouts and allowing six hits.

Illinois Wesleyan started strong with three runs in their first at-bat. A double by Woltman set up Gadomski to score after a passed ball. Flagg was walked and later stole second base, forcing an error that allowed Woltman to score again. Freshman John Phillip Ferraro hit a single that brought Flagg home for a 3-0 lead.

Carthage managed to equalize by scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning and adding two more runs in the third inning.

In the fifth inning, Gurgone singled before Louis Perona was walked. Both advanced on a wild pitch while Gadomski grounded out but notched an RBI as Gurgone scored for a 4-3 lead.

Illinois Wesleyan's defense shined with key plays such as Gurgone, Gadomski, and senior Evan Hutson executing a double play to close out Carthage's sixth inning without further damage.

During the seventh inning, Perona's single was followed by Gadomski’s double and Woltman's walk loaded bases for Flagg who capitalized on an error that allowed Perona to score making it 5-3.

The eighth inning saw additional errors from Carthage’s defense which IWU exploited effectively leading to multiple scores including doubles by Gurgone that scored Figus and Biggers while another single by Gadomski increased their lead significantly.

Sophomore Will Davidsmeier maintained pressure on Carthage with efficient pitching closing out his eight-pitch performance contributing towards IWU securing five more runs eventually concluding at 13–3 victory.

IWU will take Monday off before facing Carthage College again at Horenberger Field on Tuesday April 23rd continuing this two-game series between these teams.