APPLETON, WI – The Beloit College baseball team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat at the hands of Monmouth (Ill.) in a tense MWC Semifinal matchup this morning at Don Hawkins Field. Despite a late rally and a dramatic ninth inning, the Buccaneers (26-14, 14-7, MWC) couldn't overcome a crucial four-run seventh by the Fighting Scots (18-20, 12-9, MWC).
Beloit struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Nolan Tomsyck (Muskego, Wis) singled to center field, setting the stage for Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.), who launched a two-run homer to left field, giving the Buccaneers an early 2-0 advantage.
Beloit's starting pitcher, Aiden Phipps (Simi Valley, Calif.), kept Monmouth off the board through six innings, scattering hits but working out of jams. However, the top of the seventh proved to be the turning point. Monmouth's Guillermo connected for a three-run home run to right center, flipping the score to 3-2. The Fighting Scots weren't done, as Matkovic reached on a fielding error at third base and later scored an unearned run on an RBI single by Parkins, extending Monmouth's lead to 4-2.
The Buccaneers showed their resilience in the bottom of the eighth. Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) atoned for his earlier miscue by crushing a solo home run to left field, pulling Beloit within one run at 4-3 and igniting hopes of a comeback.
The bottom of the ninth inning was filled with drama. Pinch hitter Riley Ponio (Morris, Ill.) singled to left field for Beloit, and Brody Bremer (Mesa, Ariz.) entered as a pinch runner. Tomsyck then reached on a fielder's choice, and a throwing error by Monmouth's third baseman allowed Bremer to advance to second, putting the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run on first with no outs. However, the rally was cut short when Brankey, who had homered earlier, lined into a sharp double play from the pitcher to first base, catching Tomsyck off base. With two outs and the tying run still at second, Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.) flied out to right field to end the game and Beloit's MWC Tournament run.
On the mound, Phipps took the tough loss, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and four runs, while striking out seven. Harvey Pena (Riverside, Calif.) delivered a strong 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, surrendering just two hits and striking out four.
The Buccaneers will face the loser of the Lawrence vs. Grinnell game at 4 pm this afternoon. The loser of that game will see their 2025 season come to an end.
