JOLIET, ILL. - Madison College picked up another Region 4 doubleheader sweep away from home Saturday with wins of 5-3 in extra innings and 9-3 over Joliet Junior College. The WolfPack rallied from a two-run deficit in the opener and took advantage of a big six-run, fourth inning in the finale to improve to 4-0 against region opponents. The wins also improve the Pack's lead in the all-time series with the Wolves to 46-21. Madison College was slated to play at Kishwaukee College this past Friday; however, the game was canceled due to cold and a makeup date has yet to be determined.

Game #1: #8 Madison College 5, Joliet Junior College 3 (8 innings)

Pitching and defense dominated the early innings of the day's first game, which was scoreless through three frames. A single and two walks loaded the bases for the WolfPack in the top of the fourth inning, and second year right fielder Quinn Falish drove a fly ball to left for a sacrifice fly that scored Braylen White for a 1-0 lead. Joliet responded with a two-run home run in the home half to take their first lead of the game, and then added to it in the fifth with a run-scoring single to make it 3-1. 

Falish came through again with a run-producing ground out to short, plating Sam Moses after he reached on a leadoff double. In the seventh, freshman Matt Gruber was aboard with one out when second baseman JJ Wolbert hit an infield single to the shortstop. The play also resulted in an error by the shortstop, allowing Gruber to hustle around third and score the game-tying run to force extra innings. 

A hit by pitch and an error to start the top of the eighth put a pair of runners on for the Pack, and freshman Casey Wambach took full advantage with a go-ahead, two-run double to right that scored Nate Novinska and Ian Salvesen.

Starting pitcher Noah Marschke struck out seven batters over four-plus innings. He was tagged for three earned run on six hits before Noah Musolf took over for 1.2 innings. The righthander kept the Wolves off the scoreboard despite a hit and a walk, while also striking out one batter. Fellow sophomore Carter Lund (3-0), a native of Cambridge, Wisconsin, entered in the seventh and locked up the JJC bats to secure the win. He walked one and struck out two in the two scoreless frames.

Wolbert, a Wales, Wisconsin, native, produced two of the team's five hits. White and Moses each had a hit and scored a run. Wambach drove in two runs with one hit, while Falish was 0 for 3 with two RBI.

Game #2: #8 Madison College 9, Joliet Junior College 3

Both teams were able to put a number on the scoreboard in the first inning of the second game. Madison College engineered a two-out rally to score twice as centerfielder Nate Novinska doubled in Sam Moses, and then scored two batters later when second year shortstop Beau Bloxdorf singled on a line drive to right. Joliet Junior College (9-13) got one run back in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double and an eventual wild pitch from freshman starter Jack Poellot. The Wolves pulled even in the second when Poellet issued a bases loaded walk to force in a run with his third free pass of the inning. 

The game broke wide open in the fourth when the WolfPack racked up six runs on four hits, three walks, and an error. Centerfielder Quinn Falish followed a double by Easton Engel with a single down the left field line to drive in the go-ahead run. He later scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Novinska picked up another RBI with a single to right and then followed Moses across home plate when Ian Salvesens ground ball to short resulted in an error. The final run of the inning was scored thanks to a balk called on the JJC pitcher.

Madison College added its final run in the fifth as JJ Wolbert led off with a walk and eventually raced home on a wild pitch. Theh Wolves capped the scoring in the sixth with a run-scoring double.

Novinska, a native of Verona, Wisconsin, was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two runs drive in. He currently ranks second on the team in all three categories. Wolbert and Moses each had a hit and scored twice, with Moses also drawing three walks and Wolbert one. Salvesen finished with two walks, two RBI, and a run scored.

On the hill, Poellet worked three innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks, while also striking out a pair. Fellow freshman Aaron Ploszay (2-1) earned his second win of the season with 2.2 innings and three K's. He surrendered a run on three hits and a walk before Charlie Slawinski closed it out with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball, which included two strikeouts, one walk, and one hit.



Up Next:

Madison College (13-5) is back on the road Monday, March 30 for an in-state and Region 4 clash with rival Bryant & Stratton College (13-9-1). The WolfPack is 13-4 all-time against the Bobcats. First pitch of the doubleheader at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is set for 2:00 p.m., followed by a 5:00 p.m. nightcap. Stats and live video can be found via the GameChanger app.

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