ELSAH, Ill. – The Illinois College baseball team picked up a 15-4 win over Principia on Monday evening at Cheatham Stadium after the game was moved up due to weather in the forecast. The contest was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 5:00 p.m., but was played Monday at 5:30 p.m. instead.
The Blueboys improve to 7–3 on the season.
Illinois College 15 Principia 4
Illinois College jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Nathan Walker worked a walk before Nicholas Muskopf launched a two-run home run to left field to give the Blueboys a 2-0 advantage. Later in the inning, Tyler Barker reached on a single and eventually scored on a passed ball, and Tyler Grzela followed with an RBI double to make it 4-0.
The Blueboys added two more runs in the second inning. Walker singled and stole second before Muskopf delivered an RBI single. Barker followed with another run-scoring single to extend the lead to 6-0.
Illinois College broke the game open in the fourth inning with a five-run frame. Barker singled and Ketch Mills walked to start the rally before Jacoby Gross lined a two-RBI double to right field. Grzela then capped the inning with a three-run home run to push the lead to 11-0.
The Blueboys continued to add on in the middle innings, scoring two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to stretch the lead to 15–0. Principia scored three runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to account for the final margin.
Illinois College finished with 13 hits in the game. Barker led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance with three RBIs and three runs scored. Muskopf added two hits including a home run and drove in three runs, while Grzela recorded two hits with a home run and four RBIs. Gross also contributed a two-RBI double.
On the mound, Wade Sabo started and threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Xavier Koch earned the win in relief, allowing three runs (one earned) over two innings. Koeyn DeClercq and Evan Cooper combined to finish the game out of the bullpen.
Up Next
The Blueboys return home this weekend to host Elmhurst University for a three-game series beginning Saturday, March 14, with a doubleheader scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
