Illinois College baseball secured a 15-4 victory over Principia on March 9 at Cheatham Stadium, after the game was moved up from its original date because of forecasted weather. The matchup, initially set for March 10, was played Monday evening instead.
The win brings Illinois College’s record to 7–3 this season. The Blueboys took an early lead in the first inning when Nathan Walker drew a walk and Nicholas Muskopf hit a two-run home run. Tyler Barker and Tyler Grzela also contributed with runs, helping the team to a 4-0 advantage by the end of the inning.
Illinois College continued to build on their lead in subsequent innings. In the second, Walker singled and stole second base before Muskopf and Barker each drove in additional runs. A five-run fourth inning featured a two-RBI double from Jacoby Gross and a three-run home run by Grzela, pushing the score to 11-0. The Blueboys added four more runs across the fifth and sixth innings. Principia managed three runs in the fifth and one in the sixth for their total.
Barker led Illinois College offensively with four hits in as many at-bats, driving in three runs and scoring three times himself. Muskopf finished with two hits including his home run, while Grzela had two hits with four RBIs. On the mound, Wade Sabo started with three scoreless innings and Xavier Koch earned the win in relief.
Illinois College Blue Boys Baseball participates in NCAA Division III competitions according to the official website. The team competes under the Midwest Conference according to the official website and plays its home games at Joe Brooks Baseball Field according to the official website. As part of Illinois College’s athletics program, it offers intercollegiate baseball opportunities for students according to the official website.
Looking ahead, Illinois College will host Elmhurst University for a three-game series beginning Saturday, March 14.
