IC Falls To Knox In Final Home Game Of Season

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois College baseball resumed Midwest Conference play by hosting Knox College for the series finale decision Wednesday afternoon at Joe Brooks Field. The Blueboys battled the Prairie Fire but fell short by the final score of 3-6. 

Starting pitcher Jacob Smith earned his fifth start of the season on the mound as he got in a quick bases-loaded jam after allowing two walks and a single. With the bases-loaded, Knox struck first on the scoreboard with a walk issued by Smith that made the score 0-1. The next batter for Knox in Etienne Thomas increased the lead to 0-2 with a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the first, IC's Adam Passmore got the inning started with a one-out walk and later advanced to third on single by Louie Bartletti. With runners in scoring position, Nolan Decker drove in Passmore that cut the deficit in half at 1-2. 

In the top of the second and two Knox runners on base, IC called upon reliever Andrew Wieneke as he replaced Smith on the mound. After a bunt single that loaded the bases, Knox's Evan Laws increased the Prairie Fire lead to 1-4 with a two-run single to center. Knox added a single run in the third inning that made the score 1-5.

The Blueboys got one of those runs back in the bottom of the third on a rbi single to left by Decker that made the score 2-5. Wieneke kept IC in the game by delivering back-to-back scoreless inning in the fourth and fifth. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Tyler Barker led off the inning with a walk and immediately advanced to second on a passed ball. The next batter for IC in Ryne Mapes reached base on a walk which was his 34th walk of the season and promoted a Knox pitching change. Following the pitching change, Passmore laid down a beautiful bunt for a single that loaded the bases for Bartletti. Bartelli launched a deep drive to center that allowed Barker to score for the sacrifice fly that made that score 3-5.

In the seventh inning, IC called upon first-year reliever in Anthony Buonaura out of the bullpen as he recorded a scoreless inning that ended in a 5-4-3 started by Brayden Weaver. Buonaura returned to the mound for the eighth and recorded his second and final scoreless inning of the afternoon with two groundouts and a flyout. 

In the top of the ninth, IC made their final pitching change of the game by calling upon Charlie Lardi out of the bullpen. The first batter he saw was Parker Engel as he lead off the inning with a single. Three batters later, Knox's Law added an insurance run that made the score 3-6. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Weaver reached base on a fielder's choice and later advanced to second on a single to left by Barker. With two outs, IC had the winning run in the box but could not get a run across that ended the game. 

For the game, IC was led in hits by Barker with two while Decker drove in two. On the mound, Wieneke delivered five full innings of relief and struck out six-of-the-seven batters in the game. Buonaura had a great outing has he dealt two-innings of shutout baseball and struck out one. 

The Blueboys will be back in action this Saturday, April 27 with a road visit to Lawrence University for a Midwest Conference weekend series starting at Noon in Appleton, Wisconsin.