Millikin Big Blue Men’s Baseball earned a 12-2 victory in eight innings against North Park on May 8, securing a place in the championship game scheduled for tomorrow at 3 p.m.
The win moves Millikin into the next stage of competition, highlighting their strong performance throughout the game. This outcome is significant as it positions the team one step closer to a potential title.
Matthew Brummer started on the mound for Millikin, pitching five innings and allowing one run on six hits while recording seven strikeouts. The Big Blue took an early lead in the second inning when Mick Niebrugge walked and was moved into scoring position by Gage Reynolds’ double. Anderson Decker then brought Niebrugge home with a sacrifice fly. In the third inning, Sam Bushur hit a grounder that scored Pete Britton, though North Park responded with a run of their own in the bottom half.
Millikin continued to build its lead in subsequent innings. Carder Reich drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth to score Leyton Ivers. In the fifth, Reynolds hit an inside-the-park home run to right-center field, increasing Millikin’s advantage. Additional runs came from Ty Cribbett’s double and further contributions from Steck and Reich through sacrifices and hits.
Relief pitchers Nolan Reiman and Gavin Houchins helped maintain Millikin’s lead by limiting North Park’s offense over two innings combined. The eighth inning saw Millikin add several more runs through singles, walks with bases loaded, and sacrifice flies from multiple players including Niebrugge, Steck, Reynolds, Decker, and Britton.
The result puts Millikin into tomorrow’s championship matchup as they look ahead to continue their postseason success.
