Blueboys Belt Knox

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College baseball team roared to a doubleheader sweep of Knox in Midwest Conference action on Saturday at Joe Brooks Field.

IC took the opener, 9-5, before unloading for a 21-6, seven-inning triumph in the nightcap. With the two victories, the Blueboys improved to 22-14 overall and 13-4 in conference play.

Game 1: IC 9 Knox 5
After spotting Knox a 1-0 lead in the second, IC posted five unanswered runs and never trailed again.

The Blueboys took the lead for good in the second inning when Tyler Grzela had an RBI double, and Josh Morales recorded a sacrifice fly to give IC a 2-1 lead. The Blueboys added three runs in the third as Nicholas Muskophf ripped an RBI triple and Nolan Decker drove home a run with a single. Logan Fleener then tripled to score Decker, and IC was up 5-1.

After the Prairie Fire cut the lead to 5-3, IC scored four in the sixth, with the big blow being a Ketch Mills RBI double. Tyler Barker and Decker also had an RBI in the inning.

On the mound, Dawson Vernier went six innings, allowing six hits and three runs with 11 strikeouts to get the win. 

The offense was paced by Nathan Walker and Decker, who each collected three hits (Decker also had a pair of RBI). 

Game 2: IC 21 Knox 6
Once again, the Prairie Fire scored a run in the top of the first but then IC took over. The Blueboys answered with 10 runs over the first three innings and never looked back.

The onslaught started with a six-spot in the first inning. Mills provided the big blow with a three-run home run. Klunk and Fleener added RBI in the second inning and Barker drilled a two-run homer in the third, and it was 10-1 IC.

The Blueboys added seven more runs in the fourth and cruised home for the victory. Mills again provided the firepower with a two-run double. Walker had a two-run single.

The IC pitching staff took over from there as Anthony Buonaura went five innings, allowing five hits and four runs with six strikeouts. 

Mills, who drove in six in the game, and Walker each had three hits for IC, who had 19 as a team. 

Blue Notes
Mills set a single-season school record with his 55th RBI, while Barker set a single-season school record with his 37th walk.

Up Next
IC and Knox close out the series tomorrow at Joe Brooks Field. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.