JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Three outs away from securing a big series win, Cornell's baseball team fell victim to a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning by Illinois College in Sunday's 12-11 Midwest Conference loss at Joe Brooks Field.
It was a tough end to a promising weekend for the Rams (12-15 overall, 4-7 MWC), who split two games Saturday against the third-place Blueboys (16-13 overall, 7-4 MWC).
The Rams carried an 11-8 lead into the bottom of the ninth Sunday for reliable reliever
Thomas Hunt (1-1), who had surrendered only one run through his previous seven innings in the series.
Illinois College strung together three singles, sandwiched by a walk, before a sacrifice bunt put the winning run on second base with one out for No. 9 hitter Maddox Klawitter. Klawitter grounded Hunt's first pitch into center field for the decisive hit to send the Blueboys off victorious.
Garrett Roehl,
Luke Hull and Hunt all homered for the Rams, who finished with 14 hits in the contest.
Caleb Smith led the lineup, going 4-for-6 with a double, two runs and three RBIs.
Lucas Head doubled, singled twice and drove in two runs. Hunt and
Jackson Hill added two hits apiece.
Roehl and Hull belted back-to-back homers in the top of the first that put the Rams ahead 3-0. Hunt delivered a two-run homer in the sixth that pulled Cornell in front, 9-8.
Hull and Hunt added two RBIs apiece. Hunt pitched the final 3.1 innings and was dealt his first defeat of the season.
Coming up – The Rams play host to league leader Grinnell (13-13 overall, 7-2 MWC) for a single game at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ash Park Field.
