Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College baseball team triumphed over St. Norbert College with a 16-13 victory during the 2024 IC Baseball Invitational at Joe Brooks Field in Jacksonville, Illinois. This win marks the Blueboys' third consecutive victory this season, equaling their best start since 2015.

Starting pitcher Jack McGuire faced an early challenge when SNC's Matt Perry hit a two-run homer, giving St. Norbert an initial lead. However, McGuire stabilized his performance by delivering two scoreless innings afterward.

The Blueboys launched a six-run rally in the bottom of the third inning. Connor Hennemann initiated the surge with a lead-off single, followed by Logan Schweigert reaching base due to an error. Ryne Mapes drove in Hennemann with a single before Adam Passmore hit a three-run home run, putting IC ahead 4-2.

Louie Bartletti doubled, and Nolan Decker added to the score with a two-run homer, extending IC's lead to 6-2. Despite challenges from St. Norbert, including home runs from Matt Schuch and Devin Geary in the sixth inning that briefly put SNC ahead 8-6, IC responded strongly.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, IC's offense erupted for seven runs. A solo home run by Hennemann was followed by key hits from Schweigert and Mapes. Passmore tied the game at eight before Bartletti’s double gave IC the lead again. Tyler Barker capped off the inning with a two-run homer for a 13-8 advantage.

IC continued to fend off St. Norbert’s attempts to close the gap. Ryan Huskey contributed with a solo home run in the seventh inning while multiple pitching changes helped manage SNC’s late-game rallies.

Ben Jarboe played a crucial role on defense in later innings alongside Charlie Lardi who secured his second save of the season after entering in a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning.

Passmore led IC offensively with three hits and four RBIs as Dylan Eaton earned credit for the win on the mound amidst seven pitchers used by IC throughout the game.

Looking forward, Illinois College will visit Fontbonne University on February 28th for their next matchup against the Griffins in St. Louis.