MADISON, WISC. - A pivotal game at the top of the Region IV standings saw the Madison College baseball team hold off McHenry County College by a 5-4 final at Robin Roberts Field on Friday. The matchup of teams ranked in the NJCAA Division II Poll was highlighted by the #19 WolfPack scoring all of their runs in the first two innings, sophomore Matt Hamilton setting a career-high with 14 strikeouts, and a late rally by the #14 Scots coming up just short. The single, nine-inning game was a make-up from a washed out doubleheader three days prior, and gives the 'Pack a leg up on MCC for the top overall seed in the upcoming Region IV Tournament.

The day started out a bit rough for the WolfPack's ace as McHenry County College (34-10) used a hit, a walk, and an error to load the bases with no one out in the top of the first. The visitors then plated a run with their second hit of the inning, however, Hamilton settled in after a brief meeting on the mound and struck out the next three batters.

The WolfPack offense answered the call right away with three runs on four hits in the home half of the first inning. Jarrett Scheelk singled up the middle to drive in Carl Valk, and with two runners on, Nathan Aide roped a double the center that plated Nick Gile and Scheelk. An inning later the 'Pack had the bases loaded with no outs when Gile's fielder's choice grounder to second allowed freshman Derek Lee to score, and a throwing error on plate was enough for Valk to race in after advancing from second to third.

Neither team was able to score over the next four innings, duing which the righthander from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, registered four consecutive K's from the second through the third innings. He again ran into trouble in the seventh when the Scots worked a two-out rally to pull within three. Hamilton punched out the final batter of the inning and was replaced by Brandon Komar. The second year righty gave up a lead-off double, followed by a two-run homer to right to bring the score to 5-4. Komar retired the next three batters, striking out two in the process. Komar recorded two more outs in the ninth before a single to center meant a call to the bullpen. Reliever Eliot Tunrquist was brought in to get the final out, and did just that with a ground ball to Scheelk at first, which he flipped to Turnquist covering the bag.

Hamilton (8-0) became the fourth pitcher in program history to register 14 strikeouts in a game, and now has two double-digit strikeout games in the last three outings. The all-time wins leader in school history worked seven innings and was on the hook for one earned run on four hits, a walk, and a hit batter to keep his perfect record intact. Komar struck out four batters and allowed two earned runs on four hits over his inning and two-thirds, while Turnquist picked up his team-leading eighth save of the season, which ties for for fifth most in the nation. 

Gile was 2 for 3 as the lone WolfPack player with multiple hits. The native of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, scored a run and drove in another, matching the output of Scheelk. Valk crossed home a team-best two times, while Aide produced two RBI to pace the 'Pack.

Madison College has won four straight and six of the last seven against the Scots, and now boast a 25-11-1 all-time record when facing McHenry County College.

Up Next:

Madison College (30-9) will remain home for a Region IV doubleheader on Saturday, May 4 against Kishwaukee College (4-27-1). First pitch is at 12:00 p.m. at Robin Roberts Field, with game two slated for an approximate 3:00 p.m. start.

All home Madison College baseball games can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

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