CRYSTAL LAKE, ILL. - The Madison College baseball team hit the road for the first time in nine days and did so against the 14th-ranked team in the latest NJCAA Division II poll. The WolfPack lost both games Tuesday at McHenry County College, falling in the opener 9-2 before dropping an arms race in the nightcap, 1-0 in extra innings.

Game #1: #14 McHenry County College 9, Madison College 2

The Scots showed early why they are one of the top teams in country, striking for six runs in the first two innings against starter Brandon Parr and some porous WolfPack defense. Madison College committed two errors within the first five batters of the game, allowing McHenry to score three runs.

After the 'Pack put one run back on the board in the top of the second when Carson Carmody's sacrifice fly brought in Ryan Makuski, the home team went right back to work against the righthander. The second single of the inning drove in a run to make it 4-1, but a two-out, two-run homer two batters later increased the advantage to five runs.

The score shifted to 6-2 in the third when a passed ball allowed Nick Kanavas to score for Madison College.

It remained that way until the fifth, when Parr allowed his second and third deep balls of the game, solo home runs that made it 8-2. Coach Mike Davenport then turned to his bullpen with two outs and a runner at second; however, freshman Jake Kopp was unable to stop the bleeding. The righty gave up a RBI single to the first batter he faced, making it 9-2.

Sophomore Brandon Parr (5-3), who had won five consecutive starts from March 17 through April 19, lost his second straight outing. The Mukwonago (WI) HS product surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and a walk in his 4 2/3 innings on the hill. He finished with three strikeouts. Kopp, Clayton Uselman, and Peyton Durst finished out the final 1 1/3 innings with one hit, two walks, two K's, and no runs. 

The WolfPack offense never quite found a rhythm, either, amassing just four hits in the game. Nate Schmidt, Ryan Makuski, Carson Carmody, and Ronnie Cross each registered a base knock, with Schmidt's double being the lone extra base hit.

In the field, Madison College finished with four total errors.

Game #2: #14 McHenry County College 1, Madison College 0 (8 innings)

There was next to no offense in the day's second game, as the two starting pitchers combined to allow five hits and strike out 15 batters over 15 innings of work.

The WolfPack's Derek Heffel tossed seven innings of scoreless baseball, matching a season-low for hits allowed with four and setting a season-high for strikeouts with a dozen. The 12 K's are also the most by a Madison College pitcher this season.

The Racine, Wisconsin, native dug in deep in the second inning when back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out. Heffel then struck out the next two batters before a fielder's choice ground ball to shortstop Kian O'Brien ended the inning with a force out at second.

McHenry County College (38-10) also put a runner on third in the bottom of the third inning following a hit by pitch and a throwing error on a pick off attempt by Heffel. Once again, the WolfPack got out of trouble unscathed. 

Meanwhile, the Madison College (24-22-1) offense was stymied by the Scots starting pitcher, who didn't allow a hit until Ronnie Cross single to center in the fifth inning. Ryan Makuski, who walked to start the inning, advanced to third and gave the 'Pack it's best scoring chance of the game with runners at the corners and just one out. Sophomore Trevor Tunison went down swinging and freshman Zach Bailey foul tipped his third strike into the catcher's mitt to end the threat.

In extra innings, the WolfPack managed to put one runner on base after Bailey was hit by pitch, but Nick Kanavas became the 13th batter to strike out against Reilly Peltier and closed the top half.

New WolfPack pitcher Riley Pawelski entered to throw in the eighth and gave up a one-out single. After the freshman recorded his second strikeout, a passed ball pushed the runner ahead and into scoring position with the number six batter at the plate. Already with two hits in the game, the Scots catcher ripped his third of the game, this time a walk-off RBI single to right field to sweep the 'Pack.

Derek Heffel's final stat line consisted of seven innings, four hits, no runs, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in a no decision. Riley Pawelski (0-1) allowed two hits and one run with two strikeouts in taking the loss in relief.

McHenry's starter went eight innings with just one hit given up and 13 K's.

Madison College returns home for its final regular season doubleheader at Robin Roberts Field on Saturday against South Suburban College (18-27-1, NJCAA Division I). First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.