McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team secured a narrow 9-8 victory against Blackburn College in a non-conference game held on April 29 in Bloomington, Illinois. This win improved the Titans' overall record to 22-13 for the season, while Blackburn's record fell to 7-28.

A bullpen strategy was utilized by Illinois Wesleyan, with six pitchers taking to the mound. Senior Brady Hartman started the game, and senior Luke Schwab earned the win after pitching 2.2 innings, during which he struck out two batters.

Seniors Jimmy Gurgone and Justin Gadomski were pivotal to the Titans' offensive performance. Gurgone tallied a 3-for-4 outing, including a double, a run, and three RBIs. Gadomski contributed with a 3-for-5 performance, featuring two doubles, three RBIs, and a run. The Titans also played defensively sound baseball, committing no errors.

In the first inning, Gadomski doubled to left-center and scored on Gurgone's single, helping the Titans to an early lead. Gurgone advanced to third on a throwing error and was later driven in by John Philip Ferraro, giving Illinois Wesleyan a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Matt Hudik extended the Titans' lead in the third inning by scoring on another single from Gurgone, making it 3-0. Blackburn rallied in the fifth inning with five runs to take a 5-3 lead.

Illinois Wesleyan responded in the bottom of the fifth when Luca Morelli scored on a Cade Tomhave single, and Gurgone drove in Tomhave with a deep double to left, tying the game at 5-5.

In the sixth inning, the Titans gained a 7-5 lead. Morelli's sacrifice fly brought in Gage Wolfe, and Gadomski followed with an RBI single to score Jack Flagg. Blackburn fought back in the seventh inning, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead at 8-7.

However, Illinois Wesleyan had the final say in the eighth inning. Hudik and Derek Ittner scored on another key double from Gadomski, securing the 9-8 victory.

The Titans will face Carroll University next on April 30 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at Frame Park.