KANKAKEE, ILL. - The Madison College baseball team returned from a week of inactivity due to snowy weather to play the defending NJCAA Division II National Champions and were able to earn a road doubleheader split against Kankakee Community College. Behind 11 strikeouts from Jack Eagan and some clutch seventh-inning at-bats, the WolfPack won the opener 4-2 before the #4-ranked Cavaliers roughed up the 'Pack in an 8-1 contest to close out the day. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for Madison College, while the win keeps the WolfPack atop the Cavaliers by a 17-16 margin in the all-time series. Thursday marked the fourth attempt at playing the doubleheader after three prior cancellations. 

Game #1: Madison College 4, #4 Kankakee Community College 2 (7 innings)

Jack Eagan was dealing in the day's first game. The Wautoma, Wisconsin, native struck out 11 batters, including four in a row, and limited Kankakee to just two hits through five innings. The sophomore was bolstered by some early run support with the WolfPack scoring the game's first run in the first inning. With two outs already on the board, Logan Michaels, Nick Gile, and Nathan Aide hit consecutive singles to produce the 1-0 advantage. In the fourth the 'Pack made it 2-0 after Aide led off with a double to center and moved to third on a wild pitch. Fellow first year Jarrett Scheelk brought him in with a ground out to short to make ti 2-0.

Eagan ran into trouble in the sixth when two singles and a double tied the game at 2-2. Eagan would record two outs before being replaced by freshman Brandon Komar with runners on first and second, and Komar ended the threat with a fielder's choice ground ball to second. Madison College, however, had a quick answer with its bats in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Carl Valk drew a lead off walk and freshman Walker Jenkins dropped down a bunt single, forcing the Cavaliers to make a pitching change. After an error on Cam Cratic's bunt attempt loaded the bases, sophomores Tanner Umentum and Logan Michaels each came through with a sacrifice fly regain a two-run edge.

The win, however, did not come without some additional drama. Komar allowed three consecutive singles to load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh. But the Elkhorn, Wisconsin, product hung tough and finished out the win with three straight strikeouts. Komar (3-1) picked up the W in relief, going 1 1/3 innings of three-hit baseball. Eagan did not factor in the decision despite his third straight double-digit performance as the Indiana University transfer has recorded 35 K's over his last 18-plus innings. He finished with two earned runs given up on five hits, one walk, and two hit batters.

The WolfPack, outhit by an 8-6 margin, was led by Michaels and Aide, who put together identical afternoons by going 2 for 3 with a run scored and one batted in. 

Game #2: #4 Kankakee Community College 8, Madison College 1 (7 innings)

Game two saw Madison College grab an early lead by taking advantage of a Kankakee Community College (25-8, 17-5 in Region IV) error to put runners in scoring position. Freshman Nick Gile then grounded out to shortstop, driving in Walker Jenkins in the process. The lead would be short-lived, with the Cavaliers scoring two in the first inning on a wild pitch and passed ball. The score reached 5-1 in the second as starter Tyler Strzelczyk surrendered three runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch all after two outs. An error and two singles in the third pushed the WolfPack deficit to 7-1 in the third before the final run scored in the fifth inning.

Five different players registered a hit for the WolfPack. On the hill, Strzelczyk (1-2) went four innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits, two walks, and two hit batters. The Tinley Park, Illinois, native also struck out a pair of batters. Jon-Anthony Caban and Jarrett Scheelk worked the final two innings and combined to allow one run on two hits with two walks and a K.

Up Next:

Madison College (14-12, 2-2, 11-5 in Region IV) will hit the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders. On Saturday, April 21, the WolfPack will play Harper College (10-20, 2-2) in a North Central Community College Conference showdown. The 'Pack have won ten consecutive games against the Hawks and are 16-4 in head-to-head meetings. First pitch of game one in Palatine, Illinois, is scheduled for noon, with game two to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 22, Madison College will visit Black Hawk College (20-5, 12-4 in Region IV) in a Region IV twin bill in Moline, Illinois. The teams have split their last five doubleheaders, with the 'Pack owning a 15-11 edge in head-to-head meetings. Game one will begin at noon, followed by a 3:00 p.m. first pitch for the nightcap.

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