McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team concluded its 2024 season in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament on Wednesday, May 8. The Titans faced Carthage College, ending their season with a record of 23-16. Carthage will advance to play North Park University on Thursday, May 9.

In the game against Carthage, IWU fell behind early after a home run by the Firebirds in the first at-bat. Another run was conceded in the second inning while IWU remained scoreless until the third inning.

Sophomore Jimmy Gurgone and senior Dino Biggers reached base, giving Illinois Wesleyan some momentum. A walk from senior Louis Perona loaded the bases, and freshman John Philip Ferraro also walked, bringing in IWU's first run. Biggers scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at two.

However, Carthage extended their lead with two runs in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh, making it 7-2. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Perona doubled to right center field. Ferraro was walked again before a wild pitch advanced both Perona and pinch runner Michael Passarelli. Sophomore Tommy Willard hit a single that brought in two RBIs for Perona and Passarelli, concluding the inning at 7-4 for Carthage.

No further scoring occurred for either team, leaving Carthage victorious with a final score of 7-4. The Titans were out-hit by Carthage 15-4 and committed one error compared to none by their opponents.

Senior Jacob Cyrus ended his college career with this loss, finishing his season with a 1-3 record.

This game marked head coach Dennis Martel's last season with IWU after an impressive tenure spanning 39 years and achieving a coaching record of 914-616-3. Assistant Coach Michael Kellar is set to take over as head coach for the upcoming 2025 season.

Kellar will have 33 returning players next year. This game marked the end of collegiate careers for seniors including Biggers, Cyrus, Passarelli, Alex Smith, Aiden Smith, Josh Ralston, Luke Uhwat, and Evan Hutson. Louis Perona plans to continue playing baseball as a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati.