Bloomington, Ill., April 24, 2012 – Senior Brandon Rogalski became the all-time career hits leader in Washington University in St. Louis baseball history, but it was not enough as the Bears came up short in a 2-1 loss at Illinois Wesleyan University on Tuesday evening.
With the Bears trailing 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Rogalski hit a lead-off single to left-center field, his second hit of the game and record-breaking 206th of his career. The hit made Rogalski the all-time career hits leader at Washington U., passing Cornell Foggie who recorded 205 hits from 1985-1988.
After Rogalski's single, freshman Zack Kessinger drew a walk. A sacrifice bunt by junior Matthew Polites moved Rogalski and Kessinger into scoring position, but a foul popup and a hard-hit line out ended Washington U.'s rally hopes as Illinois Wesleyan held on for the 2-1 win.
The teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs in the inning, Illinois Wesleyan strung together four-straight singles to take a 2-0 lead. Washington U. was limited to just one hit through the first five innings. In the top of the sixth, sophomore Kyle Billig led off with a single to center field. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, before moving to third on a fly out by freshman Chris Lowery. Rogalski then roped a single to left field to drive in Billig and make the score 2-1.
In the top of the eighth, the Bears got runners on second and third with no outs after junior Greg Gleicher drew a walk and Billig singled to left-center field and advanced on the throw. The Titans threw out the tying run on a fielder's choice, before getting out of the inning with their second double play of the game.
Sophomore Brendan Rooney (1-2) pitched seven solid innings for the Bears, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits and four walks, while recording three strikeouts. Rogalski came in to relieve Rooney in the eighth inning, holding the Titans scoreless.
Rogalski (2-for-4, RBI) and Billig (2-for-4, run) accounted for four of the Bears' five hits in the game, while Lowery recorded the other one. The Bears were unable to take advantage of three errors committed by Illinois Wesleyan in the game.
Washington University (24-12) continues is stretch of road games with a trip to Terre Haute, Ind., on Thursday, April 26. The Bears will take on No. 15-ranked DePauw University at 3 p.m. (ET). It will be the fourth time the teams have played this season, as DePauw swept a three-game series in St. Louis to open the season.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. dropped to 0-2 in road games this season … The teams combined for five double plays in the game (IWU 3, WU 2) … Billig's single in the top of the sixth extended his hitting streak to 19-straight games.