Baseball Dominates Doubleheader against Cazenovia

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Illinois Tech baseball team had a strong day two of the Florida trip in its doubleheader against Cazenovia College. Playing at Winter Haven's Polk State College on Sunday, the Scarlet Hawks (3-2) downed the Wildcats (0-2) by scores of 9-3 and 12-2 in its two seven-inning contests, moving to a winning record for the first time this season.

Runs-Hits-Errors, Game 1:

• Cazenovia: 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 error
• Tech: 9 runs, 16 hits, 1 error

How it Happened, Game 1:

• After two easy innings for Tech starter Roberto Carselle, the Wildcats were able to plate three runs on four hits in the third to take an early lead. However, it did not last long, as a six-hit inning followed for Tech in the bottom half of the frame to tie the score.
• The bottom of the order did damage for Tech in the bottom of the fourth, giving the team the lead. Jacob Sorenson had a RBI triple out of the eight-hole, and Brandon Bennitt singled him in one batter later as Tech went ahead 5-3. The Scarlet Hawks would score another run later in the inning on an error.
• More runs followed for the Scarlet Hawks over the next two innings. A Ted Howell pinch-hit single drove in the team's seventh run before another RBI by Sorenson (single) made it 8-3 after five. In the sixth, Orlando Cardenas-Juan scored on a passed ball.
• Throughout Tech's offensive outburst, Carselle kept the Wildcats under wraps at the plate. The sophomore did not allow a hit for 11 straight batters in a stretch spanning the third through seventh innings as Cazenovia never threatened.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts, Game 1:

• The numbers tell the story of Carselle's dominance: a complete game of seven innings with seven strikeouts, no walks, seven hits, and three runs allowed.
• Sorenson was the star at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBI, and a run.
• Bennitt was 2-for-3 with two runs, a RBI, and a stolen base.
• Zachary Dickey was 2-for-3 as well with a run and a RBI.
• Cardenas-Juan was 1-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases.

Runs-Hits-Errors, Game 2:

• Tech: 12 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors
• Cazenovia: 2 runs, 5 hits, 5 errors

Scarlet Hawk Standouts, Game 2:

• After the Scarlet Hawks scored an unearned run in the top of the first to start the game off, starting pitcher Ian Duke did his job to begin the game strong, allowing just one hit and striking out three hitters in the first two innings.
• The Scarlet Hawks began to break out the bats in the top of the third and took advantage of an early-inning error. A few hitters Michael Courtney singled in a run to put Tech ahead 2-0, shortstop Nick Bledsoe hit a full-count, two-out, two-run triple to put a dent in the scoreboard and give the Hawks a 4-0 lead.
• The Wildcats promptly responded with two runs in the bottom of the third, but the Scarlet Hawks were far from done on offense. In the fifth, Tyler Tucker singled in a run before Jacob Sorenson did something familiar: hit another RBI triple. His three-bagger gave the Scarlet Hawks a 6-2 lead, the team's third RBI triple of the day, and Sorenson's second himself.
• The sixth inning would be Tech's biggest of the day, with five runs crossing the plate against Wildcat pitching. Bledsoe, Spencer Scalzi, and Claudio LoBracio all drove in runs on singles in the frame, with Scalzi's and LoBracio's coming via the pinch-hit variety. Peter Upham would add another RBI single for the Scarlet Hawks in the seventh to complete the team's scoring.
• Much like Carselle in the first game, Duke would find a rhythm in the second game to stifle any life from Cazenovia. He retired the last seven hitters he faced and did not allow a hit after the third inning.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Duke was stellar, throwing a seven-inning complete game with six strikeouts, one walk, five hits, and just two runs allowed.
• At the plate, Bledsoe drove in four of the team's 12 runs with a 4-for-5 performance that included four RBI, a triple, and a run scored.
• Courtney was also clutch, going 2-for-3 with a run, a RBI, a walk, and a sacrifice bunt.
• Upham was also 2-for-3, scoring twice, walking, and driving in a run.
• Sorenson hit a RBI triple for the second game in a row and went 2-for-4.

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks will play twice on Monday, but this time, the doubleheader will be against two different opponents.
• Tech will face New York University at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT) before facing SUNY-New Paltz at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT). Both games will be nine innings.
• Live audio, video, and stats will be available for the first contest, and live video will be available for the second.