RIVER GROVE, ILL. - The same week the Madison College baseball team twice established a new high for runs in a game this season, they were shutout for first time in 2021 as part of being swept in a doubleheader at Triton College on Friday. The Trojans rallied for a 6-5 win in the opener before holding the WolfPack to three hits in a 7-0 decision in the finale. Madison College still leads the all-time series against their former North Central Community College Conference rival by a 24-19 count, but have now dropped three straight and seven of the last 12.

Game #1: Triton College 6, Madison College 5 (7 innings)

Three runs in the opening half inning seemed to put the WolfPack in the drivers seat early against the Trojans. A walk, a single, and a wild pitch put runners on the second and third with no outs as first year third baseman Zach Storbakken stepped to the plate and delivered with a two-run single to left. Two batters later it was Jake Nelson producing a run with bunt single that brought Storbakken home from third. It remained 3-0 until the fifth with back-to-back doubles from Brady Jurgella and Nelson pushed the score to 5-0.

From that point on it was all Triton College as the Trojans answered in the bottom of the fifth with six runs to take the lead. They used four hits, including a three-run homer, to pull even and chase starter Riley LeTourneau from the game. Jacob Wilde entered and gave up a RBI-triple to the first batter he faced that put Triton up 6-5. Madison College was unable to mount any threat over the final two innings.

LeTourneau (0-2), a righthander from Brookfield, Wisconsin, had only allowed two hits before the Trojans exploded in the fifth. He finished with six earned runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out a career-best six in the losing effort. Wilde worked the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and fanning a pair.

Nelson, an Altoona, Wisconsin, native, was 2 for 2 with walk and two RBI. The freshman infielder was joined in the two-hit column by Eduardo Saucedo. Storbakken, a former Sussex Hamilton HS athlete, tallied two runs scored and two batted in as he went 1 for 3 with a walk. Jurgella was right behind with a run batted in and one scored on his lone hit.

Game #1: Triton College 7, Madison College 0 (7 innings)

The effects of the blown lead in the day's first game may have carried over into the nightcap, where the visiting WolfPack were limited to three hits and failed to score a run for the first time this season. Madison College did have chances to score in the game, as three consecutive free passes to first loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, however, the 'Pack recorded a line out and two K's to end the inning. Two of the three hits came in the fifth, which also saw Madison College load the bases, but a Storbakken pop out removed the threat. 

Triton College (16-8) took a 2-0 lead in the first before adding two more runs in the fourth. They padded their lead with a fifth-inning run, and two more in the sixth. Lefthander Adrian Montilva tossed 4 2/3 innings as the starter and was tagged for three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. The former Madison East HS athlete and native of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, did strike out six to push his team-leading K total to 19. Jack McNeil gave up two more runs on three hits with two strike outs over the final 1 1/3 innings. 

Eli Kramer, Gabe O'Brien, and Ryan Hubley were the three players able to pick up a hit against the Trojans pitching.

Up Next: 

Madison College (7-6) will host their home opener at Robin Roberts Field, as well as their North Central Community College Conference opener, on Saturday, April 3 against in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College (8-5). The long-time rivals have played more than 100 times in their history, with the WolfPack owning a resounding 93-15 edge. First pitch is slated for noon, followed by game two at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Fan attendance will be limited to members of immediate family for Madison College players and coaches, and two immediate family members for opposing players and coaches. The games can also be seen at MadisonCollege.tv.

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