The Blackburn College Baseball Team closed their season on a high note by rallying to defeat Illinois Wesleyan, 9-4 on Tuesday night in Bloomington. On a chilly misty night that saw the Beavers fall behind 3-0 after the first inning only to come storming back late in the game to close out the season by winning seven of the final nine games.
Blackburn starter Kolton Beckett who was touched for the first three runs, gave the Beavers a solid five innings on the mound as he left the game with the score tied 4-4. Earlier, the Beavers cut the lead to 3-1 in the 4th inning as Derek Garza singled in Andrew Lozano who had led off the frame with a single. The Titans plated a single run in the bottom of the 5th to give them a 4-1 lead. Blackburn tied the game in the sixth as the first four hitters singled to start the frame with RJ Arredondo, Lozano, Jaidon Erivez and Derek Dickerson all singled. Erivez was 5 for 5 on the night for Blackburn. After a pitching change a pair of walks tied the game at 4-4.
Blackburn went to the bullpen and Ryne Hanslow pitched a perfect sixth innings for the Beavers. Tyler Jackson then entered the game in the 7th inning and gained the win on the mound pitching three hitless innings of relief.
In the top of the 8th the Beavers broke it open. Blaine Dunning laid down a textbook drag bunt followed by a textbook push bunt by Adam Holm. Trevor Platt then reached on an error loading the bases with nobody out. Jackson gave the Beavers the lead with a rocket single to centerfield. Arredondo then drove Holm in with a sacrifice fly. Lozano then singled in Platt followed by Erivez doubling in Jackson to give Blackburn the 8-4 lead. The Beavers added an insurance run in the 9th inning while Jackson struck out four in his three innings of relief.
"Our kids played with so much energy which was so great to see and finish out the season in such an impressive fashion," said Blackburn Head Coach Mike Neal.
The Beaver offense out-hit the Titans 17-7 on the night while joining Erivez with multiple hits were Lozano 3 for 6, Holm 2 for 4, and Arredondo 2 for 5.
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