Illinois College lost to Beloit College 11-9 on Mar. 29 after a late comeback by the Buccaneers in a Midwest Conference baseball game at Joe Brooks Field.
The outcome affects both teams’ conference standings, with Illinois College now holding an overall record of 11-10 and a conference mark of 2-1, while Beloit improves to 8-11 (1-2). The result is significant as Illinois College Blue Boys Baseball competes in NCAA Division III under the Midwest Conference, according to the official website.
Beloit took an early lead with an RBI single in the first inning. Illinois College responded with four runs in the second inning, highlighted by Josh Morales’s RBI groundout and Nathan Walker’s two-run home run. After Beloit narrowed the gap over several innings, Illinois College extended its advantage in the sixth when Walker doubled home a run, Tyler Barker added an RBI single, and Nolan Decker hit a three-run home run for a six-run lead.
However, Beloit scored six runs in the seventh inning to tie the game at nine. In the ninth inning, Beloit took control with a solo home run and added another insurance run. Despite putting a runner in scoring position during their final at-bat, Illinois College could not complete its comeback attempt.
Decker and Walker each recorded three hits and three RBIs for Illinois College. Parker Phillis started on the mound with seven strikeouts over five innings while allowing three runs. Aidan Lougeay pitched nearly two innings of relief before Chase Schrader and Connor Akstulewicz finished out the game; Akstulewicz was charged with the loss.
Illinois College Blue Boys Baseball participates in NCAA Division III competitions according to its official website. The team offers intercollegiate baseball as part of Illinois College’s athletics program and provides competitive opportunities for students within college athletics as reported by their official site. Home games are played at Joe Brooks Baseball Field according to information from their official website.
Looking ahead, Illinois College will continue Midwest Conference play this weekend when they travel to Appleton, Wisconsin for a doubleheader against Lawrence University scheduled for Friday, April 3.
