JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College baseball team built a six-run lead through six innings, but a big seventh inning by Beloit proved to be the difference as the Blueboys fell 11-9 Sunday afternoon at Joe Brooks Field.
Illinois College moves to 11-10 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Beloit improves to 8-11 (1-2).
Beloit 11 Illinois College 9
Beloit struck first in the opening inning with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead.
The Blueboys responded with a four-run second inning. Josh Morales drove in the first run with an RBI groundout before Dalton Strode reached on an error that brought home another. Senior Nathan Walker then delivered the big swing of the inning, launching a two-run home run to give Illinois College a 4-1 advantage.
Beloit trimmed the lead with single runs in the third and fifth innings, including a solo home run, to make it 4-3.
Illinois College answered in a big way in the sixth. Walker doubled to left center to plate a run, Tyler Barker followed with an RBI single, and Nolan Decker capped the frame with a three-run home run to extend the lead to 9-3.
Beloit rallied in the seventh inning, stringing together hits and capitalizing on opportunities to plate six runs and even the score at 9-9.
After a scoreless eighth, Beloit took the lead in the ninth on a solo home run and added an insurance run later in the frame to make it 11-9.
Illinois College put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth but could not complete the comeback.
The Blueboys finished with 12 hits on the afternoon. Decker and Walker led the way with three hits and three RBIs. Ethan Klunk also recorded two hits, and Barker drove in a run.
On the mound, Parker Phillis started and struck out seven over five innings, allowing three runs. Aidan Lougeay worked 1.2 innings in relief, while Chase Schrader and Connor Akstulewicz finished the game. Akstulewicz was charged with the loss.
Up Next
The Blueboys return to Midwest Conference action this weekend as they travel to Appleton, Wisconsin for a doubleheader against Lawrence University on Friday, April 3, with first pitch set for 12:00 p.m.
