The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team lost to North Central College, 11-5, in the series finale at Zimmerman Stadium on April 19. The Titans now have a record of 12-18 overall and are 7-6 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. North Central improved its record to 17-15 and moved back to .500 in league play with an 8-8 mark.
The game saw sophomore Danny Johnson make his first appearance of the year as starting pitcher for Illinois Wesleyan. Johnson allowed six runs, four earned, over two innings. Freshman Myles Hammond followed on the mound for two innings and gave up two runs. Sophomore Cade Addis finished the game for the Titans, allowing three unearned runs while striking out one batter and issuing one walk.
Senior Jack Flagg led Illinois Wesleyan’s offense with three hits and three runs batted in, including two solo home runs. Sophomore Matt Hudik contributed with two hits, a walk, and drove in two runs.
North Central loaded the bases early in the first inning without any outs and capitalized on an error to score first. A single brought home more runners before another throwing error added another run for North Central. The Titans responded by cutting into the lead during their half of the second inning when Hudik singled with bases loaded to drive in two runs.
Flagg hit a solo home run at the start of the third inning but Illinois Wesleyan left bases loaded later that frame without scoring more runs. In later innings, errors continued to affect Illinois Wesleyan’s defense as North Central extended its lead.
Illinois Wesleyan will continue conference play against Wheaton College at Horenberger Field on April 21.
