Chicago, Ill. – Illinois Tech Baseball split a twin bill at home today against Marian University (Wisc.). The Windy City lived up its name with gusts blowing out to help the hitters and make it rough on the pitchers. IIT took game one 13-9 but then dropped the second game 17-4. The Hawks are now 13-4 on the season overall.
Game 1
Kyle Bumpass started on the mound going 6.0 innings and was awarded the win to make him 2-0. After spreading 9 hits, 7 runs (6 earned) all in the first 3 innings of work, Bumpass gained control and finished on a stronger note. Michael Malfeo came in to shut the door on the game in the 7th. In his 1.0 inning of work he allowed 3 hits and 2 runs, with 2 strikeouts. One of Malfeo's hits given up was a home run, which was the first home run allowed by an Illinois Tech pitcher since April 30th of 2014.
On offense the Hawks had a break out 4th inning that yielded 7 runs. At that point the Hawks were up 10-6 which would have been enough to win but then added 3 more insurance runs in the 5th as well. Austin Boos ended with 3 hits and 3 runs scored, with 1 run batted in (RBI). William Cronin had 2 hits, 3 runs and 1 RBI. Michael Malfeo added 2 hits (double and home run) with 5 RBIs. Alex Babusci also had 2 hits, a run and 2 RBIs. James Tarala rounded out the five multi-hit Tech players with 2 of his own, and 2 runs. Brian Colon-Rodriguez, Sam Pung, Darwin Argumedo and Andrew Lamkin all ended with one hit apiece. That solidified that all IIT starters had at least one hit in the game.
Game 2
Elliot Chibe started the second game on the mound and was given the loss to take his season record to 2-1. He lasted 3.0 innings giving up 9 hits, 7 runs (all earned) with one strikeout. William Sierzega went 0.1 innings allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 2 walks. Next was Conner Wiebell for 0.2 innings allowing 5 runs (all earned) on 5 walks. Matthew Bishop finished the game's final 3.0 innings with 3 hits, one run on 4 walks and 3 strikeouts.
"Our pitching, our defense and our offense just did not get the job done here in the second game today," added head coach Scott Marks. Brian Colon-Rodriguez had 3 of Tech's 9 hits, one was a double, one run scored and one RBI. Sam Pung had 2 of the other 6 hits, with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs, while Andrew Lamkin added a double and an RBI.