Illinois Wesleyan University’s baseball team swept a doubleheader against North Park University with scores of 10-2 and 15-12 on May 2 at Jack Horenberger Field. The victories allowed Illinois Wesleyan to secure the No. 2 seed and a bye into the second round of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament, with their next opponent to be determined after Wednesday’s elimination games.
The wins improved Illinois Wesleyan’s record to 18-20 overall and 12-8 in conference play, while North Park fell to 22-18 and 12-9 in league action. In game one, senior Cole Shamhart started on the mound for his senior day, pitching six and a third innings while allowing two runs on four hits. The Titans’ offense recorded seventeen hits, led by junior Jack Novak who had four hits and an RBI. Classmate Luca Morelli contributed three hits including two doubles for three RBIs.
The first game remained scoreless through four-and-a-half innings before Illinois Wesleyan broke through with multiple runs in the fifth inning. Additional runs came from timely hitting by players such as Ben Ford, John Philip Ferraro, Matt Hudik, AJ Weller, Tommy Willard, and Gage Wolfe. Relief pitchers Cade Addis and Brayden Elliott helped close out the win.
In game two, Illinois Wesleyan used several pitchers throughout the contest as they overcame early deficits. Junior Caleb Martinez started but gave up six runs in two innings before other pitchers combined to finish out the game. Novak added three more hits in this matchup while Willard drove in four runs—a career high—and Ford tallied five RBIs.
North Park took early leads during both games but was unable to hold off rallies from Illinois Wesleyan’s offense. The Titans capitalized on opportunities throughout both contests including key extra-base hits late in each game that secured their victories.
With these results, Illinois Wesleyan will advance directly into day two of the CCIW Tournament where they will face an opponent yet to be decided after upcoming elimination games.
