RIPON, Wis. - The Illinois College baseball team capped off a dominant weekend on Sunday afternoon, pulling away late to defeat Ripon 13-3 and complete a three-game Midwest Conference sweep.
The Blueboys improve to 20-13 overall and 11-4 in Midwest Conference play, while Ripon falls to 4-22 (3-10).
Ripon struck first with a three-run opening inning, using a pair of RBI hits and a groundout to jump ahead 3-0.
Illinois College responded quickly in the second. After a leadoff walk and double set the table, Josh Morales lifted a sacrifice fly to get the Blueboys on the board. Nathan Walker followed with an RBI double, and Tyler Barker delivered the big blow with a two-run home run to give Illinois College a 4-3 lead.
The Blueboys continued to add on in the middle innings. Maddox Klawitter brought home a run with an RBI double in the fourth, and Nolan Decker added another RBI double in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-3.
Illinois College created further separation in the seventh, taking advantage of defensive miscues. Logan Fleener came through with a two-run single to plate a pair of unearned runs and push the advantage to 8-3.
The game broke open in the ninth inning as the Blueboys erupted for five runs. Fleener added another RBI single, Klawitter ripped a two-run double, and both Walker and Barker drove in runs to cap the scoring at 13-3.
Illinois College totaled 15 hits in the win, with Fleener, Klawitter, and Ketch Mills each recording three-hit performances. Klawitter and Barker led the way with three RBIs apiece, while Walker added two hits and two RBIs.
On the mound, Michael Larson earned the win, allowing three runs over 4.0 innings while striking out five. Chase Schrader was dominant out of the bullpen, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings and surrendering just one hit. Coy Dettmer closed the door with a scoreless ninth inning.
Up Next
The Blueboys wrap up their non-conference schedule on Wednesday, hosting Illinois Wesleyan at home with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.
