MADISON, WISC. - Looking to keep pace a top the North Central Community College Conference standings, the Madison College baseball team did just that with a Saturday split of a doubleheader at Robin Roberts Field. The WolfPack prevailed in the second game 4-2 after losing the opener 6-3.

Game #1: Joliet Junior College 6, Madison College 3

Both the Wolves and the WolfPack came out swinging, putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the first inning. Joliet Junior College stacked up three runs on four hits against lefthanded starter Clayton Uselman.

However, his teammates had his back, turning right around with two runs of their own in the first inning. Nick Kanavas led off with an opposite field double to right, followed by successive singles from Alex Mayer, Kian O'Brien, and Nate Schmidt, the last two resulting in runs scored.

Madison College tied the game in the second. Drew Steinmetz made it around the bases on a single and an error, and eventually scored on Tanner Van De Hey sacrifice fly to make it 3-3.

That would be it on the offensive end for the 'Pack, netting just three hits the rest of the game. One hit came was from O'Brien to lead off the sixth inning. He reached third during the inning, but the WolfPack failed to bring him in.

It was 6-3 at that point, as JJC added a run in the fourth and two in the sixth when Mike Davenport turned to his bullpen. Clayton Uselman (1-3) surrendered all six earned runs on 11 hits in his 5 1/3 innings. The sophomore struck out three as he lost for the second straight start, and for the third time in his last four outings. Peyton Durst tossed nearly two innings of three-hit baseball in relief.

O'Brien, Schmidt, and Steinmetz all went 2-for-3 at the plate. Six of the team's eight hits came the top four in the order.

Game #2: Madison College 4, Joliet Junior College 2

Hits and runs were even harder to come by for both teams in game two of the twin bill, however, the WolfPack found just enough offense to match it's quality pitching in the win.

Madison College (22-18-1, 15-6-1) opened the scoring in the second. Ryan Makuski led off and was hit by a pitch, and two batters later he scored from second on a single to right for first baseman Carson Carmody. They made it 2-0 in the third when Nate Schmidt's sacrifice fly plated Alex Mayer.

The Wolves evened the game in the fifth with two runs on three hits and two walks. But the 'Pack answered right back with two of their own in the bottom half. With runners at the corners and one down, Kian O'Brien singled in Zach Bailey, and Schmidt did the same of Alex Mayer in the next at bat.

Meanwhile, starter Sam Lund (3-3) had things working on the hill, holding Joliet Junior College (26-24, 13-9) to two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native struck out a season-high nine batters, while walking four. With one on and one out in a 4-2 game, sophomore Jared Horton entered in the seventh to close out the win. He allowed on hit, but no runs scored for his second save of the season.

Kian O'Brien and Carson Carmody were the only two batters with two hits, while Alex Mayer scored the most runs with two and Nate Schmidt drove in the most with two.

Madison College, which finished 2-2 against JJC this season, will wrap up the N4C portion of their schedule with two games Sunday at Rock Valley College (16-17, 10-8). The WolfPack and Golden Eagles split a doubleheader in Madison on May 5. First pitch in Rockford, Illinois, is set for 12:00 p.m.