GRAYSLAKE, ILL. - The Madison College baseball team kept their win streak going on Thursday, earning a 10-7 win in eight innings over the College of Lake County before storms cut the Region 4 game short. Sophomore Jalen Gellings tied a career-best with four hits as the #5-ranked WolfPack claimed a season-high tenth consecutive victory, including their third this season against the Lancers. The all-time series now stands at 38-8 in favor of the Pack.

Before Gellings even recorded one of his four hits on the day, the former Campbellsport HS athlete impacted the game. Drawing a leadoff walk, Gelling eventually moved to second on a passed ball, advanced the third on a wild pitch, and then scored on another passed ball to make it 1-0 in the opening inning.

The College of Lake County (12-24) answered with two runs in the bottom half of the first, taking advantage of two hits, a walk, and an error by Gellings. The differential grew to 3-1 in the second when a two-out single drove in another run.

Gellings got to work again in the top of the third, driving a double to right to ignite a five-run frame. He scored one batter later when freshman Nate Novinska grounded a base hit back up the middle. Later in the inning, sophomore Howie Rickett picked up a run batted in with a single to right that plated Marcelino Edison Alonso. Back-to-back walks to Charlie Schau and Chris Calico loaded the bases with two outs for second year outfielder Trace Kirchberg, and the Columbus, Wisconsin, native came through with a bases clearing three-run double to left to give the WolfPack the lead at 6-3.

Madison College made it 7-3 in the fourth with Gellings again led off with a base hit, and three batters later, freshman Tyler Butina delivered a two-out, run-scoring double to deep center. The Lancers, however, had an answer, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap to a single run. The Lancers racked up four hits and a walk, while the WolfPack committed another error.



Madison College tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth as Beau Bloxdorf and Gellings recorded consecutive RBI-doubles with two outs to advance the score to a 9-6 lead. The Lancers cut it to 9-7 in the seventh after sophomore reliever Nick West allowed two walks and a single to the first three batters he faced. The game's final run was the result of a Rickett's second home run of the season, and first since March 15 in Arizona. 

Gellings finished a season-high 4 for 4 with two walks, scored three runs, and drove in another. Rickett, a native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, racked up two hits, two runs, and two RBI. Bloxdorf's two hits produced a run and a run batted in. Kirchberg finished with a season-best three runs batted in with a 1 for 3 afternoon. 

Freshman starter Mason Sherman pitched 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks. His five strikeouts matched a career-best from a three-plus inning stint against Rock Valley College. Sophomore Sam Steuber (3-0) took over in the third and picked up the win after 3.1 innings. He left the game with three runs, four hits, three walks, and two K's. West secured his second save of the season with two innings out of the bullpen, which yielded three strikeouts and one run on two hits and a walk. 

Up Next:

Madison College (26-7) is home on Saturday, April 19 for a Region 4 doubleheader against Triton College (8-24). The WolfPack already claimed a 13-3 road win in eight innings against the Trojans on March 25, boosting their all-time series lead to 31-21. Game times at Robin Roberts Field are set for noon and 3:00 p.m. The games will stream live at MadisonCollege.tv and can also be followed via the GameChanger app.

Prior to the game, Madison College Athletics will hold the third and final celebration of 2024-25 in recognition of Gary "Big Dog" Breneman's 50 years of service to the college. The celebration will include a pregame tailgate starting at 10:00 a.m., as well as a ceremonial first pitch and a scoreboard unveiling before the opening game. Click here for more information.

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