McLean County Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.– The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team is preparing for their College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener against North Park University on March 28 at 5 p.m. After this home game, the team heads to North Park for a Saturday match at 1 p.m., followed by hosting Carroll University at noon on March 30.

The Titans split their weekend games 2-2, starting strong with a 21-0 win over Principia College. Senior Dalen Banks, from Springfield, earned his third win on the mound, allowing only one hit and striking out seven over five innings. The team had a strong offensive display, with home runs from John Philip Ferraro and Jack Flagg, and three RBIs each from Tyler Woltman and Gage Wolfe.

In their series against Wabash College, the Titans managed one win out of three games. Junior Will Davidsmeier was the winning pitcher, allowing just three hits in a seven-inning performance. Woltman led offensively in the win, going 3-for-4, scoring a run and hitting a double. Cade Tomhave contributed two hits, two RBIs, and scored two runs.

Illinois Wesleyan, standing at 7-8, has a historic rivalry with North Park, who are currently 4-12. The all-time series began in 1988, with IWU leading 64-29. However, North Park has won four of the last five contests, including a significant 15-2 win on May 4, 2024. On Sunday, IWU takes on Carroll University (9-8), a team they've beaten 16 times out of 22 encounters, winning their last five meetings.

IWU leads the CCIW in batting average with .325, followed by North Central and Carthage. Tomhave is a standout performer in the league with a .468 batting average and .587 on-base percentage.

For live stats and streaming links for all three games, visit the Illinois Wesleyan baseball schedule page at iwusports.com.