In the regular season home finale doubleheader against the Morton College Panthers from Cicero, IL, the WolfPack lost both non-conference games in close fashion 9-7 and 7-6. The two losses drop Madison College's record to 35-12 and 14-4 at Robin Roberts Field.
Morton took the early lead in game one when they plated three runs off of starter Joel Effertz in the first inning, and the WolfPack were already in a large hole. Madison got a run back in the bottom half of the frame James Furlano's two out RBI single. After a scoreless inning for both teams, Effertz wasn't able to keep the Morton offensive attack at bay as they tacked on three more runs in the third inning for the 6-1 lead. Madison was able to claw their way back into the game with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but the Panthers had other ideas and added two more runs in the fourth. They also chased the ineffective WolfPack starter after giving up a run in the fourth before Jake Peterson took to the bump and stopped the bleeding. Madison College was again able to score solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings to chip away at the Morton lead and make it a 8-5 game, but the Panthers wouldn't go away as added a run in the sixth. Down 9-5 heading into the final inning, the WolfPack did their best to rally, but fell short as they were only able to get two runs on the board for the 9-7 loss.
Eric DuCharme paced the team at the plate with two RBI, and Treysen Vavra and James Furlano were the only WolfPack to finish with two hits. They each also drove in a run. Andrew Wasmund scored three times and drove in a run, and Jordan Chardukian's fourth inning solo homerun was the only extra base hit for the WolfPack.
Game two started off in a bad way for the WolfPack when Morton scored a first inning run off of starter Quintin Zander, however Madison started the rally early and took back the lead with runs in the bottom of the second and third innings. The pesky Panthers wouldn't go away though as they tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning, and took the lead they would never relinquish with three runs in the fifth. Morton then tacked on another run to start off the sixth before Madison scored one of their own to narrow the Morton lead to 7-3. Madison College needed at least four runs in their last at bats to at least force extra innings, but fell just short in their comeback attempt by a run. Jon Dybevik ad Trevor Burmeister started off the three run rally by getting hit and walking, and forcing a Morton pitching change. Josh Rowles subsequently walked after the switch to load the bases, before the Panthers struck out the 'Pack's leadoff hitter for the first out of the inning. Tanner Vavra's bases loaded walk with one out gave the WolfPack their first run of the inning before a Panther reliever struck out a 'Pack pinch hitter for the second out. Tyler Brusky followed with the clutch hit to center field to drive in two runs, but the rally was stifled when he was caught trying to stretch the single into a double. Madison College was limited to five hits in the 7-6 loss, and aided the visitors by committing three costly errors.
The 35-12 WolfPack look to wrap-up their regular season on a positive note on Sunday, May 8 when they travel to Cicero, IL for a doubleheader against NJCAA DI South Suburban College. The first game of the doubleheader against the Bulldogs starts at 12:00 PM.
