Illinois College Blueboys split a doubleheader at Millikin University on Saturday, dropping the first game 5–4 to Millikin before securing a 17–14 win over Aurora University in the second contest. The results bring Illinois College’s record to 2–2 for the season.
In the opener against Millikin, the Blueboys were unable to overcome a five-run fourth inning by their opponents. Illinois College was held scoreless through four innings but responded with a run in the fifth after Alex Loman singled and later scored on Adam Turner’s RBI triple. The team added three more runs in the sixth inning with contributions from Tyler Barker, Nolan Decker, Ketch Mills, Jacoby Gross, and Dalton Strode.
Despite putting runners on base in each of the final three innings, Illinois College could not tie the game. Turner finished with two hits including a triple and an RBI. Barker and Wade Sabo also had two hits each while Decker recorded a double as part of Illinois College’s 10-hit effort. On the mound, Dawson Vernier started and struck out six batters over four innings. Chase Schrader and Coy Dettmer combined for four scoreless innings of relief.
The second game saw Illinois College rally past Aurora University in a high-scoring matchup. The Blueboys scored twice in the first inning but fell behind after Aurora posted nine runs in the third to lead 11–4. Illinois College responded with four runs in the fourth inning—highlighted by Nolan Decker’s two-run home run—and tied the game at 13–13 by scoring five more across subsequent frames, including a two-run triple from Ethan Klunk and an RBI single from Nicholas Muskopf.
Ketch Mills put Illinois College ahead with a three-run home run in the seventh inning to make it 16–13. The team added another run in the eighth and secured a 17–14 victory. Mills went 3-for-5 with five RBIs including his home run; Muskopf collected three hits; Nathan Walker had four hits; Decker homered and scored four times.
Anthony Buonaura started for Illinois College while Connor Akstulewicz earned the win after pitching 2.1 innings of relief. Dettmer picked up the save by closing out with three innings on the mound.
Illinois College Blue Boys Baseball is part of NCAA Division III athletics under both national guidelines and within the Midwest Conference. The program provides intercollegiate baseball opportunities for students as part of Illinois College’s athletics offerings, hosting home games at Joe Brooks Baseball Field.
Next up for Illinois College is its annual trip to Florida where they will face University of Dubuque and Grove City College on Wednesday at scheduled times of 11:45 am and 3:15 pm CT.
