Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College Blueboys were defeated by Knox College in the deciding game of their Midwest Conference series, ending in a 6-2 loss on the road. After the defeat, Illinois College's record stands at 16-11 overall and 4-4 in the conference, while Knox's record improved to 11-10 and 3-3 in the league.

Knox secured the win thanks to a strong performance in the second inning, where they scored all six of their runs off five hits. Despite the onslaught, Illinois College's Dawson Vernier managed to settle into a groove and pitched five and two-thirds innings, conceding just two hits after the initial setback. Vernier now has a season record of 1-3 following the loss.

The Blueboys attempted to mount a comeback; Logan Schweigert hit a solo home run, and Louie Bartletti doubled in the sixth before scoring on a Ketch Mills RBI single. Nevertheless, the early deficit was insurmountable for Illinois College.

Connor Akstulewicz had a noteworthy performance in relief, delivering two and a third hitless innings and striking out two.

The Blueboys will be back on the road next weekend to face Cornell College in a conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday in Mount Vernon, Iowa.