McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team secured a narrow victory over Millikin University in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament, with a final score of 4-3. The game took place on Thursday, May 8, in Bloomington, Illinois. This win advances the Titans further in the tournament while placing Millikin University in an elimination game scheduled for later that evening.

Jake Pullam, a junior from Palatine, Illinois, was the starting pitcher for Illinois Wesleyan. He pitched six innings, striking out five batters and allowing three runs during the third inning. Brady Hartman, a senior reliever from Milan, Illinois, maintained the lead by pitching three scoreless innings and earning a save.

Offensively, contributions came from various players within the Titans' lineup. Sophomore John Philip Ferraro of Oak Park went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Freshman Matt Hudik from Frankfort also performed well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. The team played without errors and managed eight hits over eight innings.

Illinois Wesleyan started strong in the first inning when Hudik doubled down the left field line and eventually scored due to an error by Millikin's catcher. However, Millikin responded in the third inning with three runs to take a brief lead.

The turning point occurred in the sixth inning when Ferraro hit a single followed by Tristan Figus walking to load the bases. Jack Flagg then tied the game with a single that brought home two runs. Hudik's subsequent single drove in another run to give IWU a decisive lead.

Hartman continued his effective pitching into the final innings to prevent any comeback attempts by Millikin. With this victory, Illinois Wesleyan moves forward in the winner's bracket and is set to play again on Friday against either North Central College or Carthage College.