McLean County Times

A late offensive rally helped the Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team secure a 9-3 win against North Central College on April 16. The Titans, now holding a 16-12 overall record and 8-4 in conference play, overcame the Cardinals, who stand at 14-16 and 7-5 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).

The game in Naperville, Illinois, saw Junior Jake Pullam start as pitcher for IWU, delivering four innings with three strikeouts. Reliever Junior Luke Costello pitched five innings, striking out five.

Junior Gage Wolfe contributed significantly with three hits out of five at-bats, including a double, one RBI, and two runs. IWU assembled 12 hits and secured seven RBIs during the game.

The clash remained scoreless until North Central claimed a 3-0 advantage in the fifth inning. Illinois Wesleyan responded in the sixth inning with Tyler Woltman reaching base and scoring on a failed pickoff attempt, reducing the gap to 3-1. Matt Hudik advanced to third and scored via a single from Jimmy Gurgone, pulling the Titans to 3-2.

Defensive efforts in the bottom of the sixth prevented North Central from expanding their lead. Riding this momentum, IWU exploded for four runs in the seventh inning, overturning the match in their favor. Wolfe and Jack Flagg's subsequent hits shifted the game dynamics, with Woltman's advance on an error tying it at 3-3. Hudik's hit and a sacrifice fly further extended the lead to 5-3. Extra runs followed Hudik's aggression on base paths, closing the frame at 6-3.

In the eighth, the Titans expanded their lead courtesy of efforts by Ben Ford, Wolfe, and Flagg, setting the final score at 9-3.

Illinois Wesleyan's focus now shifts to their upcoming CCIW series against Wheaton College, featuring a Friday home game and a Saturday doubleheader.