The WolfPack struggled at the plate and in the field in their first of two games against Elgin Community College.
Box Score
KANKAKEE, Ill. - If the WolfPack won the game against Elgin Community College, everyone could go home and call it a day at 3:00 p.m. However, in the Region IV Tournament, nothing comes easy.
The Spartans scored five runs in the first inning against the WolfPack and never looked back in a 17-2 win. The Spartan win meant that another nine-inning game would be played in 30 minutes in the steamy 88 degree weather in Kankakee.
The winner of the second game would be crowned Region IV Champions and earn a berth in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
Elgin Community College lost their first game in the Region IV Tournament, but the No. 4 seed was not going to go out quietly. They came back to knock out Oakton Community College and Kankakee Community College and had their sights set on Madison College next.
The win against the WolfPack brought Elgin from the brink of elimination to the brink of winning the tournament.
Not much seemed to go right for the WolfPack in the first game against Elgin Community College.
Jack Larsen, who threw seven quality innings in his last start, gave up five runs in the first inning and only lasted 4.1 innings.
Quitin Zander finished off pitching for the remainder of the game to save the bullpen for the next game.
Elgin walked nine times and two players were hit by pitches. They eleven extra base runners really hurt the WolfPack in the game.
Luke Marwitz and
Jordan Chardukian both went 2-for-2 from the plate in the game and were the two bright spots at the plate for the WolfPack.
In the fifth inning, Madison College trailed Elgin Community College 11-0 and
Kevin Wild was removed from the game. In the innings to follow Coach Davenport gave his starters a rest and called on his bench for some production.
Elgin Community College could not risk resting anyone despite the high temperatures, because if they lost, they would be eliminated from the tournament.
At the end of the game, the 30-minute timer was set and both teams were ready for the most important game in the Region IV Tournament.
