Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College baseball team secured a 5-4 victory over Ripon in a Midwest Conference game, held at the Future Champs Complex in Jacksonville. Originally scheduled for Ripon, Wisconsin, the game was relocated due to bad weather.

Illinois College improved its record to 15-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play, while Ripon's record fell to 4-10 and 1-3. The game began with Ripon scoring three runs in the first inning. Illinois College responded with two runs in the fourth inning thanks to Logan Schweigert's double that brought home Jon Tate and Connor Hennemann.

Ripon added another run in the fifth inning, making it 4-2. Illinois College then scored in the sixth when Sam Hulvey's single allowed Schweigert to score. The game was tied at four after Nolan Decker's sacrifice fly scored Ryne Mapes in the seventh inning.

The teams remained tied through nine innings. In the tenth inning, Decker doubled and Brandon Smith ran for him. Tyler Barker then hit a double that brought Smith home, giving Illinois College its first lead of the night.

Anthony Buonaura closed out the game for Illinois College with four innings of relief pitching, allowing only two hits and striking out four batters. Jack McGuire started for Illinois College, pitching six innings with eight strikeouts while allowing four hits and four runs (two earned).

Logan Schweigert led Illinois College's offense with two hits and two RBIs. Weaver contributed three hits, while Mapes had two hits as well.

The series between Illinois College and Ripon will conclude tomorrow with a doubleheader at Joe Brooks Field starting at noon.