RIVER GROVE, ILL. - Despite windy and cold conditions off of Lake Michigan, the Madison College baseball team persevered to sweep Triton College in a Region 4 doubleheader Saturday. Sophomore Michael Carpenter struck out 13 batters in a two-hit shutout as the WolfPack won the opener by a 13-0 final, and battery mate Will Johannes smashed his second home run of the day in the nightcap as part of a 9-3 victory. The two wins give the Pack a 30-21 lead in the all-time series and a five-game win streak over the Trojans.

Game #1: #16 Madison College 13, Triton College 0

The day's first game saw both teams strikeout the side in the first inning, but it was only Madison College that was able to continue that trend. Lefthander Michael Carpenter (5-2) followed it up with two more K's in the second, three in the third, one each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth, and two more in the seventh for a career-best 13. His no-hit bid ended with a double in the fifth, and his only other allowed hit was a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Over his last four outings, the Hartland, Wisconsin, native has not allowed a single run, has surrendered ten hits, and has recorded 39 strikeouts. Carpenter's 1.22 earned run average currently ranks third in NJCAA Division II, while also sitting ninth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings at 14.01.

The offense, meanwhile, got things going in the top of the second. With the bases loaded, Dayton Rozinski-Hicks lined a triple to right that scored Charlie Schau, Will Johannes, and Marcelino Alonso for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Johannes bombed a two-run home run to left for a five-run advantage.

Looking for a little more separation in the sixth, the WolfPack used doubles from Alonso and Howie Ricket to make it 6-0. Jalen Gellings added another run with a single through the right side to plate Rickett.

Madison College truly put the game away in the seventh with six more runs. Schau and Johannes opened the frame with back-to-back two baggers, and Nick Nowak drove in a run with an infield single. Marion slammed the door shut with his second grand slam of the season. The sophomore from Franklin, Wisconsin, leads the team with eight home runs.

The WolfPack's 18 total hits was their second-highest total in a game this season. Marion was 3 for 5 with a team-high four runs batted in and one run scored. Johannes matched Marion with three hits, and amassed three RBI and two runs scored. Four others registered two hits in the game, while Rozinski-Hicks had just one hit and produced three runs driven in and one scored.

Game #2: #16 Madison College 9, Triton College 3

Triton College (10-30) was able to grab a quick lead in the first inning, using a walk, a steal, and a single to go up 1-0. The WolfPack, however, answered right back in a big way, putting up four runs on five hits and a walk in the top of the second. Freshman James Duncan drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly that allowed Charlie Schau to tag up from third. Three consecutive two-out singles from Howie Rickett, Nick Nowak, and Jake Petasek each drove in a run for the 4-1 lead.

Madison College (24-9) tacked on one more run in the third when Will Johannes connected on an 1-0 offering and sent it over the wall in left for a two-out solo home run. The Mukwonago, Wisconsin, native boasts seven home runs on the season,

Marion added a RBI in the fourth with a two-out single through the right side to drive in Nowak, who had doubled earlier in the inning. 

The WolfPack pitching ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth as starter Grant Ross gave up three straight singles to load the bases. Freshman Sam Steuber entered and allowed a two-run single to left as the Trojans closed the gap to 6-3. 

Once again, the Pack was ready with an immediate response, using four base hits to rack up three more runs. Schau scored on Duncan's line drive hit, and two batters later, Rickett roped a double to the wall in center to plate Marcelino Alonso and Dayton Rozinski-Hicks.

Five players finished with multiple hits for Madison College, including Rickett. The native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, posted a career-best three runs batted in on two hits, while also scoring a run. Duncan was second in RBI with two as he finished 1 for 2 with a walk. 

Johannes and Schau each finished with two hits and two runs scored, with Johannes also driving in a run.

Ross (2-1) picked up the win with five innings of work on the hill. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits and a walk. The sophomore from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, stuck out five batters before being replaced by Steuber for the final two innings. Steuber gave up three hits and recorded one K.

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