by Eric Willuweit

Richmond, Ind. - After losing a heartbreaker first game to Earlham College in the opener of a double-header, the Illinois Tech baseball team exploded for 14 runs in the second game to earn a split against the Quakers in the Scarlet Hawks season opener for the 2023 season. The Scarlet Hawks start the season 1-1. The Quakers moved to 4-1 overall.

In game one, the Scarlet Hawks found themselves down 8-3 heading into the top of the ninth inning. But a grand slam by Matthew Jackson and an RBI double by David Cooper brought Illinois Tech all the way back to an 8-8 tie. However, in the bottom of the ninth with one out, Earlham's Mitchell Roether, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement at first base in the 8th inning, drove an 0-2 pitch over the left field fence for a walk-off home run and a 9-8 Quakers game one victory.

Illinois Tech was able to overcome the tough game one loss by putting up a three-spot on the Quakers in the top of the second inning of game two, and the Scarlet Hawks would never look back en route to a 14-1 8-inning shortened game. Senior Austin Richardson earned the win with five innings of three hit ball, striking out 10 Quakers while allowing only 1 earned run. First-year Jack Niekrasz, who was the tough-luck losing pitcher in the opening game, pitched the final three innings, allowing no runs, only two hits while striking out two. Peyton Vieluf went 2 for 4 and drove in four runs with an RBI single and a base loaded double. Michael Paxson went 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

"Today was fun" said Head Coach Ed Zeifert. "The guys had a chance to put their work into practice and it paid off against a very good Earlham team. The energy in the dugout, on the field and in the stands was electric. We are looking forward to the games tomorrow" Zeifert said.

Scarlet Hawks Standouts (Combined Double-Header)

• Jackson drove in 6 runs and scored 4 times while batting 2 for 7 with a grand slam and drawing 2 walks.
• Vieluf plated 6 runs, while batting 2 for 6 with 2 walks.
• Samuel Sproule went 4 for 8, scoring 3 times and driving in a run.
• Mason Kim went 3 for 8 with a home run and 2 RBI.
• Brandon Bennitt with 3 hits in 7 at-bats, with 2 doubles, 3 walks and an RBI.
• Paxon 3 for 7 with two runs scored, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases.
• Richardson earned a win with 1 earned run and 3 hits over 5 innings pitched, striking out 10 batters with a 1.80 ERA.
• Niekrasz pitched 3.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits, striking out 3 for a 2.70 ERA.

Quakers Watch (Combined Double-Header)

• Zach Swearingen was 2 for 6 with 3 RBI.
• Nathan Lancianese went 3 for 9 with 2 RBI.
• Dawson Hope piched 4 innings of scoreless ball, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 3 and earning the win in game one.
• Roether with the walk-off home run to win game one for the Quakers.

Up Next

The Scarlet Hawks will continue play in Richmond, Indiana against Earlham College with another pair of games on Sunday, starting at 11:00 AM CST.