By: The second game of the doubleheader could not be completed as snowy conditions proved to be too difficult to continue play on Sunday.
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Illinois College couldn't overcome early spurts of offense from the Grinnell College lineup, as the Blueboys fell to the Pioneers, 10-4, in Sunday's first of two scheduled games. IC drops to 9-8 (1-2 Midwest Conference). Grinnell jumps to 8-12 (5-2 MWC).
Illinois College played the visitor role in the contest, giving the Blueboys the first at-bat in the game. Leadoff man Joe Paparelli reached base and then advanced to second on an error by the third baseman. After being moved to third on a groundout, Grant Argyilan put the ball in play, allowing Paparelli to score, giving the Blueboys an early 1-0 advantage.
Grinnell responded with a leadoff double in the bottom half of the first from Andrew Shults. Sam Galanek singled to push Shults to third, with Shults then coming home on a wild pitch, tying the game at 1-1. Galanek reached third on a passed ball, which allowed Carson Gampell's single to bring him in, giving the Pioneers the lead. One last run came in when Jared Booth flew out deep to right field, scoring Gampell, leaving Grinnell with a 3-1 lead after one.
Following a scoreless second, Illinois College added another run on the board in the third. It came via a monstrous home run from Austin Gusewelle, cutting IC's deficit to one run, 3-2.
Like the first inning, Grinnell responded with three more runs. Gampell led off the half-inning with a double, then was brought home on a double from Booth. Following a hit by pitch, Brad Weaver singled through the left side, scoring Booth. Quinton McNitt proceeded with a single of his own to bring in Nathan Zaroban, extending the Pioneers' lead to four runs, 6-2.
The Pioneers grabbed an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. After loading the bases, Illinois College made a pitching change. New pitcher Quinn Miller hit the first batter he faced, allowing Zaroban to trot home, extending Grinnell's lead, 7-2.
Illinois College was able to snag two of those runs back in the seventh. A strategic bunt from Brandon Skovronski loaded the bases for the Blueboys. Paparelli stepped up and ripped a single through the right side, scoring Scott Kasting and Daniel Reed. IC reloaded the bases, but couldn't do more damage as Brandon Stanfield grounded into a fielder's choice, leaving the Blueboys down three, 7-4.
In their final at-bat of the game, the Pioneers gave their pitcher added support, tallying three runs to go up 10-4. Shults scored on a single from Gampell. Later in the inning, Zaroban found a hole in the outfield, scoring Booth and Gampell.
Dillon Hallemann (0-2) suffered the loss for Illinois College. Five Blueboys finished with multiple hits.
The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was started, but not completed. Snowy conditions forced the game to be halted with Illinois College ahead, 5-2. More information on whether the game will be continued or not will be provided when a decision has been made.
Illinois College begins a road trip on April 10, when the Blueboys travel to Principia College for a 5 p.m. contest. The team resumes conference play with two doubleheaders at Cornell College on April 14 and 15.
