The Monmouth College baseball squad stayed at .500 in the Midwest Conference when they split a doubleheader with Illinois College on Saturday, April 5 at Glasgow Field. The Scots are now 2-2 in the MWC and 3-13 overall.

Monmouth out-slugged the Blue Boys in the first game, winning by a final score of 9-8. Illinois College jumped out to a 5-0 lead after their half of the fourth inning, but the Scots responded by putting up four runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Blue Boys then put up one run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to claim an 8-4 lead. The resilient Scots put their rally caps on and tied the game with another four spot in the bottom of the eighth. The inning was highlighted by a basses loaded single by sophomore Chaz Baggio, which scored two runs.

Junior Jake Virgo was the big hero on the day, however, as he produced a game-winning single with the sacks packed with Scots, in the bottom of the ninth.

“It is always a good thing to be able to help the team win,” Virgo said. “It just felt good adding another win to the win column; I would love to be put in that situation again though.”

Baggio and Virgo each got two base hits in the game, while senior Ryan Priola had another outstanding game, going 2-5, and senior Matt McIntire went 3-4. Jake Bice recorded one hit on the day, but he made it count as it drove in three runs.

Junior Drew Peterson recorded one out in the ninth inning, which was good enough to earn him his first victory of the season.

In the second game, Illinois College jumped out to another quick lead, gaining a 3-0 advantage after their half of the fifth. Monmouth again mounted a comeback, and the Scots tied the game at three by scoring three runs in the sixth.

The Blue Boys scored in their half of the ninth, and although Monmouth got a man on third base in the bottom of the ninth, they did not have one last run in them to force extra innings. The game ended with IC on top, 4-3.

Bice had a strong game, recording two hits and one RBI, while Priola got one hit and two RBIs. Freshman Billy Herrin owned IC’s pitching, and he finished with three base hits.

Illinois College is now 3-1 in the MWC, which is good enough for first place in the South Division. Monmouth’s 2-2 conference record ties them for second with Grinnell College.

The Scots were scheduled to play a road game against Eureka College on April 8, but the game was cancelled due to poor weather conditions; no reschedule date has been made yet.

Monmouth’s game scheduled against Robert Morris College on April 10 was also cancelled due to rain, and a tentative makeup date has been set for April 17.

The Scots will have an opportunity to overtake Illinois College for first place when they travel to Jacksonville and play two games against the Blue Boys on April 12.

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