Millikin won against the Carthage Fire Birds with a score of 5-3 in game three of the CCIW tournament, according to a May 7 announcement.
The result is significant as it advances Millikin further in the tournament and highlights strong performances from several players. Caleb Akins made his thirteenth start on the mound this season, pitching nine innings while allowing six hits, three runs, one walk, and striking out ten batters.
Carthage took an early lead by scoring three runs at the top of the second inning. Millikin responded in the bottom of that inning when Gage Reynolds hit a line drive to right field that brought home Kolby Koslofski and Sam Bushur, making it 2-3. In the third inning, Pete Britton walked and Ty Cribbett singled before Carder Reich laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Koslofski then hit a sacrifice fly to score Britton and tie the game at 3-3.
In the fourth inning, Reynolds drew a leadoff walk and was advanced by an Anderson Decker sacrifice bunt. Leyton Ivers followed with a line drive into right center field to bring Reynolds home for Millikin’s go-ahead run. Ivers later scored on Cribbett’s single through the right side, putting Millikin ahead 5-3.
Reynolds, Mick Niebrugge, and Decker each collected one hit during the game while Ivers, Reich, and Cribbett each had two hits apiece. The offensive leader was Reynolds who went one-for-two with two runs batted in.
The Big Blue are scheduled to play again tomorrow at 2 p.m.
