MADISON, WISC. - The bottom of the fourth inning completely changed Thursday's Region 4 Tournament Quarterfinal between top-seeded Madison College and fourth-seeded Black Hawk College at Robin Roberts Field. It resulted in six runs for the six-time defending region champions as the WolfPack went on to claim an 8-0 win in seven innings. The victory sends the Pack to the semifinal round, while also giving them a 28-17 lead in the all-time series with the Braves, who had won three straight and four of the last five get-togethers.

Despite both having chances, neither team was able to score over the game's first three-and-a-half innings. That all changed with a very productive, yet bizarre bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman first baseman Tyler Butina opened the frame with a drive to the wall in right center that resulted in a leadoff triple. A diving attempt to make a catch resulted in the BHC centerfielder exiting the game with various injuries. Sophomore Charlie Schau followed with a single to right to plate Butina for a 1-0 advantage.

During the next at bat, a Nate Novinska foul ball near the WolfPack dugout saw the Braves catcher and first baseman collide head-on. The game was suspended for more than 30 minutes as the catcher, Colton Musgrave, was transported off the field on a stretcher.

Once play resumed, the WolfPack continued to push forward with a single by Novinska and a hit by pitch of Ryan Santi to load the bases with no outs. Sophomore Chris Calico delivered a single to right to drive in Schau and Novinska for a three-run lead. After a pitching change, the Pack re-loaded the bases for Howie Rickett. The second year catcher came through with a bases clearing ground ball down the right field line for a 6-0 lead.

Still up by a half-dozen runs in the seventh, Novinska doubled in Butina to make it 7-0. An intentional walk of Santi brought Calico to the plate, and the West Salem, Wisconsin, native, made the Braves pay with a run-scoring single to center that scored Novinska from second for the run-ruled, walk-off victory.



Calico finished 2 for 4 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Novinska and Butina also had two hits in the game, with the former driving in a run and scoring twice, and the latter posting two runs scored.

Rickett, a native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, had a hit and three RBI. Beau Bloxdorf and Jalen Gellings each had a hit and scored a run.

Freshman pitcher Noah Marschke (7-1) was not to be overshadowed, as the former Stevens Point Area SH athlete, threw a three-hit shutout in the first postseason appearance. He worked six innings, walked four, and struck out eight batters. It's his sixth outing with eight or more K's. Sophomore Nick West pitched one inning in relief and retired all three batters he faced.



The WolfPack is now 8-1 in postseason meetings all-time against Black Hawk College (46-13), who will play an elimination game at 9:00 a.m. on Friday against #2-seeded Kankakee Community College. The game was postponed from 3:00 p.m. on Thursday due to severe weather.

Up Next: 

Madison College (41-9) will play a semifinal game against #3-seeded Elgin Community College (41-12). The WolfPack won the lone meeting with the Spartans this season with an 11-5 decision on March 28 in Illinois for their tenth consecutive win in the head-to-head series. The all-time series stands at 37-21 in favor of Madison College, including six wins in eight prior posteason contests. First pitch is slated for noon at Robin Roberts Field. All games will stream live at MadisonCollege.TV and tickets are available via GoFan. 



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