SOUTH HOLLAND, ILL. - The Madison College baseball team hit the road for the final time in the 2017 regular season, but found themselves facing a stiff test - and a cold, stiff wind blowing in - at NJCAA Division I South Suburban College on Saturday. The Bulldogs methodically pulled away in the opener for a 5-1 decision before using a big first inning in the nightcap to take a 7-2 victory and finish off a sweep of the WolfPack.

Game #1: South Suburban College 5, Madison College 1

South Suburban was able to score a run in every inning from the second inning to the finish in securing the home win over Madison College. WolfPack starter Jack Eagan allowed a single and a double to first two batters in the second to make it a 1-0 game. Errors would also play a key role in the game's outcome, with a throwing error by third baseman Garrett McGraw putting the leadoff runner aboard in the third. After a single and a wild pitch, the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead with a RBI groundout to the right side.

Madison College tallied their lone run in the top of the third to return the deficit to a single run. Sophomore Chris Lund drew a leadoff walk, made it to third on a ground out and a passed ball, and then scored on McGraw's ground out to the first baseman.

However, SSC would not quit and another error, this time in left field by Chase Scharnek with two outs, returned the differential to two in the bottom half of the third. The third Madison College error, and second by McGraw, came in the fifth with runners at first and second and allowed the lead runner to score for a 4-1 advantage. A sacrifice fly brought the score to 5-1 in the sixth. 

On three occasions the WolfPack had runners in scoring position and were unable to drive them in, while also being unable to take advantage of the Bulldogs' three errors.

Eagan (6-1), a transfer from Indiana University, tossed 5 1/3 innings with just two of his five runs allowed being earned in ending a two-game win streak. He surrendered seven hits and one walk, but reach double digit strikeouts for the second straight game.

The four hits by the 'Pack came from Bryce Plate, Logan Michaels, C. Lund, and McGraw. Lund had the lone run scored, while McGraw picked up the only RBI.

Game #2: South Suburban College 7, Madison College 2

After seizing their first lead of the day in the top of the first of game two, Madison College quickly fell behind in the bottom half, and errors were once again an issue. With shortstop Tanner Umentum on third after a hit by pitch, a steal, and a groundout, the WolfPack went up 1-0 on a sacrifice fly by fellow first year Logan Michaels.

Starter Hank Schau had a runner at first and two down in the bottom half when a single to left was good enough to plate a run and tie the game. An error by Umentum brought in a second run, and extended the inning enough for South Suburban (39-12) to register one more run-scoring single and grab a 3-1 lead.

Down 4-1 to start the fourth, Michaels ripped a double to left and raced in to score on Chris Lund's single to center, cutting the deficit to just two. But the Bulldogs came right back, taking advantage of an error on the pitcher to eventually make it 6-2 after four complete.

Madison College sent just ten batters to the plate over the final three innings before taking their fourth loss in five games, as well as their third loss in the last four games against SCC. Lund went 2-for-3 with a RBI to lead the offense, which had just four players with a hit for the second straight game.

Schau (5-2) took the loss for the second time in his last four outings - the other two being no decisions. The sophomore's line read ten hits, seven runs with only two earned, zero walks, and four strikeouts. Chase Scharnek made his second pitching performance, and the first since returning from the Arizona Spring Trip, finishing the final 2/3 of an inning in perfect fashion.

Up next:

Madison College (29-16) will host Sauk Valley Community College (6-27) in the regular season finale at Robin Roberts Field. The WolfPack are currently riding a nine-game win streak against the Skyhawks and are 19-8 all-time. That twin bill is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m., with a first pitch of the finale expected around 3:00 p.m.

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