The Millikin University baseball team secured a 6-5 victory over North Park University in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships, according to a May 9 announcement.
This win gives Millikin the conference title and a place in the national tournament. The team will learn its next opponent when the championship field is announced on Monday, May 11 at 11 a.m.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Pete Britton scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on an error. Julian Cabanin was walked by North Park to set up a force play, and Carder Reich loaded the bases with a bunt before Britton crossed home plate for the winning run. Earlier in the game, Reich singled home Britton for Millikin’s first run.
North Park took leads during both the fifth and sixth innings, with Eli Johnson driving in one run and Rylan Kawakami adding another with a ground out. Reyn Matasuzaki contributed an RBI single for North Park as well. However, Millikin regained control with key hits from Britton—who had three hits including a two-run single—and Reich, who also collected three hits.
Gavin Houchins pitched a scoreless ninth inning for Millikin to earn his fourth win of the season while Nolan Reiman delivered two and two-thirds hitless innings with two strikeouts. Mick Niebrugge added two hits for Millikin including a double. Taylor Joseph and Vinnie Marvucic each had two hits for North Park.
Millikin improved its record to 35-8 while North Park finished its season at 25-19. The Big Blue now look ahead to their participation in this year’s NCAA Division III Championships.
