GAME 1 BOX SCORE
GAME 2 BOX SCORE
LIVE STATS FOR SUNDAY DOUBLEHEADER
NORMAL, Ill. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to secure a doubleheader split against Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon.
With Illinois Wesleyan leading 3-2 entering the top of the ninth, junior Caleb Kissel started a rally with a hit by pitch. Junior Donnie Waters followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Junior Zach Trusk smashed a two-run double to give Rose-Hulman a 4-3 lead that the Fightin' Engineers would not relinquish.
Rose-Hulman jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, before Illinois Wesleyan scored twice in the fourth inning to claim a 2-1 edge. The Fightin' Engineers scored once in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Evan Witsken before the Titans took the lead at 3-2 with one run in the eighth.
Waters led the Fightin' Engineer offense with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Trusk added two hits, a double and two RBIs. Josh Koutnik also had two singles in the eight-hit attack.
Junior Karson Nixon provided a strong six-inning start to keep Rose-Hulman within striking distance. Nixon scattered seven hits with three strikeouts. Sophomore Cody Sunderhaus pitched the Engineers out of the eighth inning to pick up the winning, and junior Alec McNally picked up his second save of the year with a scoreless ninth.
In the opener, Rose-Hulman scored twice in its final at-bat, but Illinois Wesleyan shut down the rally just in time to earn a 3-2 victory.
Illinois Wesleyan scored two unearned runs in the second inning and added one more score in the fourth, before the Fightin' Engineers rallied with two runs in the seventh and final inning. Dan Truesdale was able to pitch around the threat for his second save of the season.
Witsken and Trusk led Rose-Hulman's seven-hit attack with two singles each. Witsken also scored one run. Junior Kody Alayon had a single, two stolen bases and scored once, while Waters added a single and one RBI.
Junior Andrew Stull tossed the complete game on the mound and allowed just one earned run in the tough luck loss. Stull scattered nine hits, walked none and struck out seven in the performance.
Rose-Hulman stands 5-3 on the season, while Illinois Wesleyan has a 3-2 record. The teams will complete a four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow at noon Central Time at The Corn Crib in Normal.
