By Steve Marovich, Athletics Staff Writer/2022 Baseball Contact
The Carthage College baseball team (11-23) split a Sunday, May 1 non-conference doubleheader with Eureka College (16-18) at Henry Sand Field in Eureka, Ill. The Red Devils won the first game, 10-4, in seven innings with the Firebirds taking the nightcap, 4-3, in nine innings.
In the first game, Carthage scored twice in the first inning on a two-run RBI-single by Bryce Prybylinski to take a 2-0 lead. Eureka came right back with two runs in the bottom half on a two-run home run by Braden Cox to tie the game. Eureka scored four in the fifth to take a 6-2 lead, with Dylan Hill capping the really with a two-run single. The Firebirds came back with two runs in the sixth on a two-run single by P.J. Moser to cut the lead to 6-4. The Red Devils, however, added four runs in the bottom of the sixth to close out the scoring at 10-4. Karter Hostetler hit a three-run homer as part of that four-run sixth inning.
Nathan Garard (5-4) was the winning pitcher for Eureka, and he allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts over six innings. Carthage starting pitcher Nick Hamilton dropped to 0-9 by surrendering six runs on five hits, five walks and six strikeouts over four and two-thirds innings. Nic Vitritti worked the final inning and a third of the scheduled seven-inning contest.
In the nightcap, the Red Devils took a 2-0 lead in the third on a solo home run by Charles Mangold and an RBI-single by Braden Cox. The Firebirds got a run back in the fourth on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Bryce Prybylinski. Carthage took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on a two-run home run by Matt Felber. Eureka tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI-double by Lane Marlow. The Firebirds went up to stay, 4-3, in the eighth inning on a solo homer by Bryce Prybylinski.
Pitcher Troy Siranovic started the game for the Firebirds and limited the Red Devils to two runs on five hits and three walks over four and two-thirds innings. James Lindenmuth (1-1) picked up the win and allowed just one run four hits, no walks and five strikeouts over the final four and one-third innings.
Carthage plays host to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin-opponent Millikin University (22-12, 8-6 CCIW) on Monday, May 2 in a Noon doubleheader at Augie Schmidt Field in Kenosha, Wis. Monday's set is a makeup from a twinbill postponed on Saturday, April 30.