MADISON, WISC. - An impromptu season opener due to unseasonably warm weather in late-February started a home-and-home series between #16 Madison College and the College of Lake County, and the two Region 4 programs completed that series 54 days later with a 7-3 WolfPack win Sunday at Robin Roberts Field. Sophomore Will Johannes powered the Pack with a three-run home run as Madison is now 34-8 all-time against the Lancers after sweeping the regular season series.

The home team grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, which opened with a Dayton Rozinski-Hicks single and followed with a run-scoring double to left by Grant Ross. Two batters later, freshman Charlie Schau grounded out to second, allowing Ross to score from third.

The differential grew to six runs in the bottom of the third inning on three hits and a walk. First year outfielder Chris Calico led off with a double to center, then stole third and was able to trot home when the throw from the catcher sailed over the third baseman and down the left field line. After Ross drew a walk and Schau came through with a two-out single, Johannes delivered a no-doubt, three-run home run to left. The sophomore, who hit his first long ball of the season in a road win at Lake County, has eight homers on the year to tie him for the team lead with Charlie Marion. Johannes' career total of 19 homers moves him into third on the all-time list with 19.

The College of Lake County (21-19) trimmed the differential to 6-2 with four hits and two runs in the fourth against starter Allen Leitner. The WolfPack left the bases loaded in their half of the fourth inning and the score remained until the seventh, when Madison College push across another run with a Schau sacrifice fly that allowed Nick Nowak to tag up from third. The Lancers completed the scoring wiith a run in the top of the eighth.

Leitner worked four strong innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk. The Kimberly, Wisconsin, native struck out five batters before fellow sophomore Evan Iwinski (2-0) entered in relief to pitch 3.2 innings and earn the win. The righthander from Franklin, Wisconsin, issued three walks and gave up a hit and one unearned run while recording one strikeout. Noah Musolf tossed the final 1.1 innings of scoreless ball with two K's.

Johannes, a former Mukwonago HS athlete, finished 1 for 4 with a team-high three runs batted in and one run scored. Freshman Howie Rickett established a new career-best with three hits. Schau finished with two RBI and one run scored on one hit. Ross paced the Pack with two runs scored, to go along with a hit and one run driven in.

Up Next:

Madison College (25-9) has won three straight games and will continue the eight-game homestand with seven more in a row at Robin Roberts Field, including a doubleheader Friday, April 26 against Region 4 foe Carl Sandburg College (13-23). The WolfPack swept a road twin bill with the Chargers on March 24 and boast a 24-5 edge in the head-to-head series. Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Stream live at MadisonCollege.TV and follow the game via the GameChanger app.

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