Monmouth plates three in seventh to win game two
The Monmouth College baseball team used late dramatics in both games on Sunday and came away with a double header split against the University of Chicago. The Scots (7-11, 3-4) tied the opening game in the eighth but lost 9-5 before scoring three runs in the seventh to beat the Maroons (8-8, 2-2) 5-3 in the nightcap.
Chicago took the lead in the second inning of the opener against Monmouth starter Jeff Garrett (Aledo, Illinois). The run scored after an error and a wild pitch for a 1-0 Maroons lead. They made it 2-0 in the fourth with a leadoff home run.
Monmouth got on the board in the fifth. Todd Fowler (Chatham, Illinois) singled and was out at second on a fielder’s choice. With two down, Logan Komater (Ottawa, Illinois) doubled home Tyler Houck (Park Ridge, Illinois) to get the Scots on the board.
Chicago scored an unearned run to go up 3-1. They added another run in the seventh on a bases loaded wild pitch from reliever Cam Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois). Chicago made it 5-1 with another unearned run against Riley Jennings (Knoxville, Illinois) in the eighth.
The Scots got the bats going in the bottom of the eighth. Nate Melvin (Ottawa, Illinois) singled and moved to third on a single from Raul Guillermo III (Miami, Florida). Christian Centeno (Miami, Florida) delivered a RBI single and Jack Kuethe (Pekin, Illinois) walked to load the bases. A ground out by Clayton Matkovic (Sherrard, Illinois) scored Guillermo and the Scots loaded the bases again. Daniel Lummus (New Port Richey, Florida) walked to force home Centeno and Houck walked to tie the game as Kuethe scored. Chicago got the next two outs to escape the inning with the game tied 5-5.
The Maroons responded in the ninth with a single, sac bunt and double to take the lead against Owen Wolfe (Galesburg, Illinois). Another double made it 7-5 and a home run gave the visitors a 9-5 lead. Monmouth got a hit from Kuethe in the ninth but didn’t score again.
Garrett allowed one earned run on five hits over six innings while striking out four. Anderson allowed one run on two hits over one inning while striking out two. Jennings allowed an unearned run on one hit in his one inning while also recording a strikeout. Wolfe (0-2) took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits in one inning.
Game Two
Monmouth took the lead in the first inning of the nightcap. Melvin reached on a fielders’ choice after Komater singled. With two down, Guillermo reached on an error and Kuethe’s single plated Melvin.
Chicago tied the game against Monmouth starter Cade Sharp (Aledo, Illinois) in the third with a single and a double, Monmouth regained the lead right away as Melvin scored on a double play ball.
Chicago took the lead in the fifth. A double, walk and single loaded the bases. Tyler Sears (Bloomington, Illinois) took over for Sharp and a walk tied the game. With two down, Chicago took a 3-2 lead on a wild pitch before stranding the bases loaded.
Carson Mohler (Temple Terrace, Florida) kept Chicago off the board for the next two innings. Monmouth’s offense came through in the bottom of the seventh. Guillermo reached on a dropped third strike and Kuethe singled. Lummus ran for Guillermo and Centeno singled to load the bases. Fowler walked to tie the game and Alex Dye (Albuquerque, New Mexico) gave the Scots a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly. Centeno scored on a passed ball to give the Scots a 5-3 lead.
Toby Turnquist (Monmouth, Illinois) locked down the win with two scoreless innings for his first collegiate save. He struck out two in a 1-2-3 eighth inning and after allowing a 2-out single in the ninth, a flyout to center ended the game.
Sharp allowed three runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four. Sears walked one and struck out one in 2/3 of an inning. Mohler (1-0) earned his first college win with two shutout and hitless innings, one walk and two strikeouts. Turnquist struck out two and allowed one hit over two shutout innings.
MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Komater, Melvin, Guillermo, Centeno and Fowler had hits in both games. The Scots had RBI from eight different players on the day. Garrett has three quality starts on the season and he’s gone at least five innings in four starts. Monmouth beat Chicago for the first time since 2012, ending an 8-game losing streak against the Maroons. The Scots will play at Illinois Wesleyan on Tuesday night. The next home game is Friday, April 7 at 3 p.m. against Grinnell.
***Courtesy of Nathan Baliva, Monmouth College***
