The WolfPack baseball easily handled the Highland Community College (IL) Cougars 13-6 in the doubleheader opener, before crushing them 30-0 in the second game. The two non-conference wins bring the 'Packs record to 8-8 overall.
 
Madison got on the board with four runs in the first to take the early lead before adding two more in the second inning. After two scoreless innings in the third and fourth, Madison held a 6-3 lead before adding three runs in both of the fifth and sixth innings. Up 12-3, Highland scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, and Madison added one more run for the seven run win, 13-6.
 
As a team Madison belted out 14 hits, including six doubles and one homerun. The 'Pack also added a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice hit, and two stolen bases in the drubbing. Courtney Watkins, Travis Hamilton, Mike Jordahl, Nick Kanavas, and Simon Maurice all recorded two hits in the game to lead Madison at the plate. Travis Hamilton led the team with two doubles, and Courtney Watkins, Tony Butler, Mike Jordahl, and Simon Maurice all recorded doubles. Mike Jordahl recorded the lone homerun for the 'Pack, and also led the team with three RBI. Tony Butler, Travis Hamilton, and Mike Aiello all had two RBI, and Courtney Watkins, Mike Jordahl, Matt Cole, and Mike Aiello all scored two runs.
 
Jarod Richter received plenty of run support as he improved to 1-1 on the year. He allowed six hits, three runs, and struck out six in 5.1 innings. Damian Guenther relieved Richter for a third of an inning, and Brandon Gibis finished the game and threw 1.1 innings. He struck out three in his clean appearance from the mound.
 
The second game of the doubleheader was truly an offensive clinic for the WolfPack as they won 30-0. The team batted around the order twice in the first inning on their way to scoring 13 runs, and batted around in every inning after that. They scored six runs in the second, four in the third and fourth innings, and three in the fifth and final inning. The 32 hits, 30 runs, and 26 RBI were all season highs, and five of the hits were more than singles, including four doubles and one homerun.
 
Everyone was the leading hitter for Madison, as 11 of the 13 players to receive a plate appearance recorded at least one hit. Out of those 11, only Courtney Watkins was limited to one hit as he went 1-for-1 with a run scored in limited action. Travis Hamilton paced the team and went 5-for-6 with four runs scored, and two RBI. Hamilton also doubled. Next in line was Sam Hurt who finished the day 4-for-5 with four runs scored, one RBI, and a stolen base. Brandon Gibis also added four hits in seven at bats. He recorded three RBI, scored a run, and doubled. The foursome of Liam Kellogg, Luke Yapp, Nick Kanavas, and Trevor Tunison all added three hits, and three others recorded two hits apiece. Kellogg recorded the lone homerun, Tunison led the team with five RBI, and Kanavas finished right behind him with four RBI. Four players recorded three RBI apiece, as the WolfPack had 26 RBIs on their 30 runs.
 
A strong pitching effort wasn't needed in the 30 run affair, but starter Clayton Uselman and Jared Horton shutout and dominated the Highland batters. Uselman started and picked up the win in three innings. He walked three, surrendered two hits, and struckout four. Reliever Jared Horton allowed only one hit and one walk in his two innings of work. He struckout four of the eight batters he faced.
 
Next up for the now .500 'Pack is a return to N4C conference play as they travel to River Grove, IL to face the Triton College Trojans. The first game of the doubleheader starts at 2:00 p.m.