Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College baseball team faced Knox College in a Midwest Conference game at Joe Brooks Field, resulting in a 3-6 loss for the Blueboys. Starting pitcher Jacob Smith struggled early, allowing two walks and a single, which led to Knox scoring first with a walk. Etienne Thomas extended Knox's lead with a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the first inning, Adam Passmore walked and advanced to third on Louie Bartletti's single. Nolan Decker then drove in Passmore, reducing the deficit to 1-2. Andrew Wieneke replaced Smith in the second inning after two Knox runners reached base. Evan Laws hit a two-run single for Knox, increasing their lead to 1-4.

The Blueboys responded in the third inning with Decker's RBI single, making it 2-5. Wieneke kept IC competitive by pitching scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth. In the fifth inning, Tyler Barker walked and advanced on a passed ball. Ryne Mapes also walked, prompting a pitching change from Knox. Passmore's bunt loaded the bases, allowing Bartletti to drive in Barker with a sacrifice fly for 3-5.

First-year reliever Anthony Buonaura pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings for IC. Charlie Lardi took over in the ninth but allowed an insurance run by Laws, bringing the score to 3-6.

In their final chance at bat, Brayden Weaver reached base on a fielder's choice and advanced on Barker's single. However, IC couldn't capitalize further and ended the game without additional runs.

Barker led IC with two hits while Decker contributed two RBIs. Wieneke provided five innings of relief with six strikeouts out of seven batters faced. Buonaura delivered two shutout innings with one strikeout.

Illinois College will next play against Lawrence University on Saturday, April 27th, starting at noon in Appleton, Wisconsin.