BELOIT, Wis. – The Beloit College Buccaneers showcased a potent offense and effective pitching, cruising to a commanding 9-1 victory over Illinois College in MWC action Sunday afternoon at home. The win boosted Beloit's strong season record to 25-13 overall and 13-7 in conference play.
Beloit's offense wasted little time taking control after Illinois College (22-18, 10-11 MWC) scratched across a single run in the top of the second. The Buccaneers answered emphatically in the bottom half of the frame, exploding for five runs to seize a lead they would never relinquish. Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) started the scoring by coming home on a passed ball. Later in the inning, Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.) delivered an RBI single, Connor Vogel (Palmdale, Calif.) drew a bases-loaded walk for another RBI, and Elijah Love (Madison, Wis.) reached on a crucial throwing error by the Illinois College second baseman, allowing both Alport and Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.) to score.
The offensive charge was led by center fielder Alport, who turned in a stellar 4-for-5 performance at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring once. The Buccaneers collected 14 hits as a team, keeping pressure on the Illinois College pitching staff throughout the game.
After the five-run second, Beloit tacked on three more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Blake Nelson (Monument, CO.) lofted a sacrifice fly to score Ryan Kopp (Pinole, Calif.) (pinch-running for Aiden Wood (Chandler, Ariz.)), Nolan Tomsyck (Muskego, Wis) singled home Souza, and Alport capped the inning with his second RBI single, scoring Jacopo "JT" Tamburini (Bologna, Italy). RJ Pouzar (Hartford, Wis.) added the final run with an RBI single in the eighth, scoring pinch-runner Riley Ponio (Morris, Ill.).
On the mound, Beloit received solid contributions from three pitchers who combined to limit the Blue Boys to just one run on four hits. Starter Eamon Burke (Helena, Mont.) allowed the lone run over three innings. Erick Tiegs (Waukesha, Wis.) followed with three shutout innings, scattering one hit and striking out two while walking none, earning the win to improve his record to 4-0. Maddon McArthur (Redondo Beach, Calif.) closed the door effectively, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and just one walk while striking out one to pick up his sixth save of the season.
The Buccaneers successfully secured the second seed heading into next weekend's Midwest Conference Tournament. Lawrence University defeated Cornell this afternoon as well to win the regular season title and host the tournament. Joining the Bucs and Vikings are the Monmouth Fighting Scots (3-seed) and Grinnell Pioneers (4-seed).
All tournament information can be found here.
