MADISON, WISC. - It might go down as one of those examples of why you never give up. The Madison College baseball team found itself down 13-0 to visiting Elgin Community College at Robin Roberts Field on Wednesday, May 2. Rather than folding up their tents, the WolfPack continued to fight, and when freshman Jarrett Scheelk blasted a grand slam, they were well on their way to an epic 20-13 come-from-behind victory.

The visiting NJCAA Division III Spartans (24-18) had every answer for Madison College pitching right from the start, scoring seven runs on seven hits, a walk, a hit batter, and an error in the first inning. The second inning followed with five more runs on four hits, two free passes for first, and three wild pitches/past balls. Already into their third pitching before the third inning, the WolfPack gave up yet another run in the fourth to make it a 13-0 differential.

The tide turned in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Walker Jenkins singled in the home team's first run. Run-scoring singles from Nick Gile, Nathan Aide, and Jerry LaSaint followed and the 'Pack was within 13-4. Hoping to avoid a run-rule loss, Madison College continued the momentum into the sixth, plating four more runs on three hits, two walks, and an error. A leadoff double by Scheelk ignited a two-run seventh inning, and by the start of the eighth, the WolfPack comeback was nearly complete. An error and two singles loaded the bases to open the eighth inning, and Scheelk, the freshman from Green Bay, Wisconsin, provided a signature moment when he sent a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall of a grand slam the propelled Madison College into the lead at 14-13. The rally rolled on to the tune of ten runs in the eighth inning, thanks to seven hits, two errors, and two free passes to first.

The WolfPack's 20 runs fall just short of a season-high after a 21-run effort three days prior against Rockford University (IL) JV, while the team's 20 hits is a new season-high by four. Five players recorded three-hit games. Scheelk finished with four RBI and two runs scored, while Jenkins matched him with a career-high four runs batted in and three scored. Gile, who had two hits, and LaSaint both drove in three runs, with Gile also scoring three runs. Carl Valk used a hit and three walks to scored a team-high four runs.

Connor Fedders and Scheelk combined to allow 12 total runs, seven of which were earned, on 11 hits and two walks in their 1 1/3 innings to open the game. Freshman Nolan Rebernick tossed 2 2/3 innings to stabilize the Spartans offense. The Raymond, Wisconsin, native was credited with one run and one hit allowed, as well as two walks and a strikeout. Matt Hamilton, Jonathan Dominguez, and Jake Kopp finished out the final five innings without allowing a single run. They combined for two hits and ten strikeouts, with Dominguez getting the win to improve to 1-1 on the season. 

Madison College is 26-19 all-time against Elgin, with wins in eight of the last 12 meetings.

Up Next:

Madison College (27-17) will finish out the regular season with a pair of home doubleheaders this weekend, and both will be crucial to their postseason fate. The WolfPack are in a race for one of the top four seeds in NJCAA Region IV Division II to be able to host a Sectional Tournament on May 12-13. They begin the weekend on Saturday, May 5 against NJCAA Division I South Suburban College (33-16-1), which owns a 19-15 edge on the 'Pack in the all-time series and has won three of the last four meetings. First pitch is at noon at Robin Roberts Field, with game two to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m.

On Sunday, May 6, Madison College will host Sophomore Day for the final home games of the season against Carl Sandburg College (26-11). In 12 prior meetings with the Chargers, the 'Pack has just one loss after going 3-1 against CSC last season. Prior to game one, the team will honor its 13-member second year Class of 2018. First pitch is at noon at Robin Roberts Field, with the nightcap to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m.

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