Box Score The Madison College baseball team grabbed a 4-2 lead after four innings and held on for the 6-4 Region IV Tournament opening win over the Prairie State College Pioneers. The post-season win bettered the 'Pack's overall record to 37-11 before taking the field again tomorrow at 12:00 PM.

Starter Nathan Hoffmann was spotted with the 1-0 lead after the WolfPack plated a run in the bottom of the second inning, but the powerful righty experienced a hiccup in the top of the third. The Prairie State Pioneers scored two runs for the 2-1 advantage, but the visitor's lead didn't last long as the WolfPack bats jumped on the Pioneers pitcher for two runs in the bottom of the inning for the 3-2 lead. Madison College scored one more run in the fourth and two runs in the seventh and the 'Pack were even further ahead, this time 6-2. The Pioneers did make things interesting with two runs in the top half of the eighth, but relievers Zach Ransom and Cody Peterson shut the door on the Pioneer threat. In the game to record the final two outs, Peterson picked off Ransom's inherited runner on second base, before inducing a groundout to third base. Peterson picked up his third save of the year (2nd in the post-season) with a spectacular two thirds of an inning to seal the 6-4 win.
 
Both Ryan McShane and Bryce Barsness (the 1-2 hitters) had the hottest bats for the 'Pack, as each picked up three hits. McShane finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and Barsness went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Danny Krause and Dan Schmidt were also hot as the duo each recorded two hits, while Krause had two RBI. Krause also picked up the lone stolen base for the 'Pack with his tenth theft of the year. Greg Rhude and Nathan Pollock also added one single apiece as the WolfPack recorded 12 hits in the game, all singles.
 
Nathan Hoffmann recorded a solid start on the mound as he was able to scatter six hits and three walks in seven innings for the quality start and his eighth win of the year. Now 8-0 during the season, and 2-0 during the post-season, Hoffmann recorded eight strikeouts while allowing four earned runs in his outing. Zach Ransom stepped in for Hoffmann when the starter tired, and pitched one and a third solid innings of relief. Cody Peterson then literally saved the game and quelled a late Prairie State rally with a pickoff at second base and a grounder to third to pick up the save and ensure the 6-4 WolfPack win.
 
Now 37-11, including a 4-1 record in the post-season, Madison College returns to action tomorrow for their second game of the NJCAA Region IV Region Baseball Tournament. The WolfPack play at 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 18 against the winner of the Black Hawk College-Moline and Kankakee Community College game.