Chicago, Ill. – Illinois Tech baseball took on Maranatha University on Friday night under the bright lights across the street from its usual home games at US Cellular Field (home of the Chicago White Sox). This was the 4th annual Southside Classic. Tech came out on top with the 8-2 victory over the Sabercats and increasing the overall season record of 21-7. This game was a 7:00pm start coming just hours after the Hawks watched the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament selection show and found themselves as the #1 national seed.
On the mound Kyle Bumpass (4-1) was very strong getting the win in the 5.0 inning outing allowing just 4 hits, no runs adding 4 strikeouts and just one walk. Jan Timpe pitched the 6th inning allowing no hits, no runs with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Matthew Bishop pitched the 7th allowing one hit, no runs, and one walk. Michael Malfeo pitcher the 8th inning and gave up 3 hits, 2 runs (no earned), and one strikeout. Finishing the game was senior Andrew Gustafson who was injured last season in this same game went in the 9th striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced.
At the plate IIT scored early and often with 3 runs in the first, one in the second, 3 more in the third, and one more in the fourth inning. Michael Malfeo went 3-5 on the day with 2 runs scored and a run driven in. Brian Colon-Rodriguez added two hits (one double) with one run scored and 2 runs driven in. Austin Boos, William Cronin, Alex Babusci, Andrew Lamkin, Shane Pung, Andrew Gustafson, Darwin Argumedo, and Ryan Fitzpatrick all hit safely once.
Tech will take on the University of Chicago tomorrow just a bit farther south for a double header.