The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team overcame a five-run deficit with an 11-run sixth inning to defeat Illinois College, 16-14, at Joe Brooks Field on April 22. The win marks the Titans’ second victory of the week and improves their record to 14-18, while Illinois College falls to 20-14 and ends its six-game winning streak.
The game was notable for its high-scoring innings and dramatic lead changes. Illinois Wesleyan’s offense remained quiet until the fifth inning but eventually tallied 11 hits and capitalized on a total of 18 free passes—10 walks and eight hit by pitches. Junior John Philip Ferraro contributed three hits and three runs batted in, while sophomore Matt Hudik, sophomore AJ Weller, and senior Jack Flagg each had two-hit games. Flagg led with four RBIs.
The Titans used multiple pitchers throughout the game. Flagg started on the mound for two innings before several relievers took over. Sophomore Luc Lawler struck out four batters over two innings, while senior Nathan Waterman earned the win after pitching one-and-two-thirds innings with two strikeouts. Freshman Myles Hammond, senior Marshall Ingold, junior Nolan Turner, and freshman Brayden Elliott combined to close out the final three-plus innings without allowing any runs in the last two frames.
Illinois College began strong with back-to-back home runs in the second inning as part of an early offensive surge that put them ahead by eight runs after one inning. However, Illinois Wesleyan’s bats came alive from the fifth inning onward. A series of singles, walks, hit-by-pitches, and key doubles allowed them to erase their deficit during a pivotal sixth-inning rally.
After several more lead changes through late innings—including another home run by Illinois College—the Titans regained control in the eighth when Flagg doubled for his fourth RBI of the night followed by Ferraro’s run-scoring double for insurance. In relief during the ninth inning, Elliott struck out all three batters he faced to secure his fifth save of the season.
