BELOIT, Wis. - The Beloit College Buccaneers showcased their offensive depth and solid pitching as they defeated Illinois College 8-1 and 4-0 to open their final MWC series of the season. The win improved Beloit's record to 24-13 overall and 12-7 in conference play.
Game 1: Beloit - 8, Illinois College - 1
Although Illinois College took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Buccaneers' bats came alive in the middle frames. Beloit tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Jordan Rosenberg (Leawood, KS) drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.). Aiden Wood (Chandler, Ariz.) followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Vogel to give Beloit a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.
The Bucs extended their advantage in the fifth inning. Following a walk to Nolan Tomsyck (Muskego, Wis) and a single by Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.), an error allowed Tomsyck to score. Alport then hit a sacrifice fly to score Brankey, and Connor Vogel (Palmdale, Calif.) singled to drive in another run, pushing the score to 5-1.
Beloit kept the pressure on, adding a run in the sixth on an RBI sacrifice fly by Tomsyck scoring Wood. In the seventh, Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and Wood added another sacrifice fly RBI, scoring Love, to cap the scoring at 8-1.
Offensively, Beloit was led by Brankey and Vogel, who each collected three hits. Vogel also scored twice and drove in a run. Wood was crucial with two RBIs via sacrifice flies. Alport, Souza, Rosenberg, and Tomsyck also contributed RBIs. The team showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks.
On the mound, starter Aiden Phipps (Simi Valley, Calif.) earned the win, tossing seven strong innings. He allowed just one earned run on seven hits and one walk while striking out four Illinois College batters. Harvey Pena (Riverside, Calif.) provided two innings of perfect relief, walking one and striking out one to close out the victory.
Game 2: Beloit - 4, Illinois College - 0
Ben Schweit (Simi Valley, CA.) was the story of game two, delivering a dominant performance on the mound. The Beloit pitcher went the full nine innings, allowing just four hits and, remarkably, issuing zero walks while striking out two. He efficiently navigated the Illinois College lineup, needing only 99 pitches to secure the shutout victory and keep the visitors off balance all afternoon.
Scoreless through four innings, Beloit finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Alport scored the game's first run on an RBI single by Vogel, giving Schweit the lead he needed.
The Buccaneers provided crucial insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Souza and pinch runner Brody Bremer (Mesa, Ariz.) reached base, Wood delivered an RBI single scoring Bremer. Tomsyck followed with another RBI single to left field, plating Souza. Brankey capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Wood and extending the lead to 4-0.
Schweit continued to cruise, allowing only one hit over the final three innings to seal the win and the sweep.
Offensively, Vogel and Jacopo "JT" Tamburini (Bologna, Italy) led Beloit with two hits apiece. Vogel, Wood, Tomsyck, and Brankey each recorded an RBI in the contest.
The doubleheader sweep provided a significant boost for the Buccaneers, strengthening their position in the conference standings as they defeated Illinois College (22-17, 10-10 MWC) twice on their home field. Schweit's performance highlighted a strong day overall for the Beloit pitching staff.
The Buccaneers' wrap up the regular season tomorrow afternoon against the Blue Boys. First pitch from The Ballpark at Strong Stadium is set for 12 pm.
