The Madison College baseball team didn't play their best ball in the early going, but the team did save for best for last on their way to a 4-3 comeback win over the Oakton Community College Raiders in Schaumburg on May 16. After falling behind 3-1 after seven innings, Madison scored three runs in their half of the eighth inning for the 4-3 lead, and the win. The relief duo of Clayton Uselman and Ryne Blanton held on and preserved the win for the WolfPack and starter Derek Heffel as they moved on to the NJCA Region IV Tournament Championship Game tomorrow at noon.
 
Oakton grabbed the lead right out of the gate with a solo run in the first inning, but Madison negated the damage and tied the score with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Tied at 1-1, the WolfPack bats were held silent and Oakton plated solo runs in both the third and seventh innings for the 3-1 lead. The Madison offense finally came to life in the eighth inning when Tony Butler reached on an error with one out, and the trio of Sam Hurt, Travis Hamilton, and Luke Yapp followed that up with singles. Yapp's single brought the WolfPack within one run, Oakton recorded another out on the next play, but Nick Kanavas followed it up with a two out, two RBI single to right field that gave the 'Pack the 4-3 lead they would never relinquish.
 
The foursome of Brandon Gibis, Sam Hurt, Luke Yapp, and Nick Kanavas led the way at the plate by all collecting two hits. Gibis had the lone extra base hit (a double), Kanavas recorded a team-high two RBI, and Yapp scored the winning run.
 
Starting pitcher Derek Heffel followed up his 14 strikeout performance in the NJCAA Region IV Sectional Tournament with six strikeouts in eight solid innings. He allowed eight hits, a walk, and three earned runs on his way to improving to 9-0 on the year. Ryne Blanton closed the game for the WolfPack and picked up his fourth save of the season in the final two thirds of an inning.
 
The 41-10 WolfPack is playing the waiting game to determine their next opponent. They will face the winner of the Oakton CC and Black Hawk College-Moline game tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. in the NJCAA Region IV Tournament Championship game.