Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College baseball team concluded its participation in the Augustana Invitational with a split outcome on Saturday. The Blueboys faced Buena Vista and Dominican, ending the day with one loss and one victory.

In the first game against Buena Vista, Illinois College fell 16-5. The Blueboys initially led with a five-run second inning, highlighted by Louie Bartletti's grand slam. However, Buena Vista responded strongly with ten runs in the third inning and added three more runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. Logan Fleener contributed two hits for Illinois College, while Ketch Mills added another hit. Anthony Buonaura was charged with the loss on the mound.

In their second game against Dominican, Illinois College secured an 8-5 win. After leading 2-0, they briefly trailed when Dominican took a 3-2 lead in the second inning. The Blueboys regained control in the third inning with three runs and maintained their lead throughout the rest of the game. Bartletti excelled again, going 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Mills and Nathan Walker each recorded three hits, including a double and an RBI, while Connor Hennemann added two hits and scored twice.

Charlie Lardi pitched five innings for Illinois College to earn the win, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out five batters. Branson Shaw closed out the game to secure a save by pitching two innings with only one hit allowed and two strikeouts.

The Blueboys will next face Monmouth at Joe Brooks Field for a doubleheader as they begin Midwest Conference play on Saturday.