AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Illinois College continued its strong start in Florida with a 6-3 win over Dubuque on Thursday morning, powered by early offense and dominant pitching.

IC now moves to 5-3 on the year, and Dubuque moves to 3-3. 

IC 6 Dubuque 3
The Blueboys jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Adam Passmore after Logan Fleener's RBI single got the scoring started. Illinois College added a crucial insurance run in the fourth when Louie Bartletti doubled home Logan Schweigert, and another in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Connor Hennemann.

Charlie Lardi set the tone on the mound, striking out 10 over 5.2 innings while allowing just two runs.Andrew Wieneke and Branson Shaw teamed up for 3.1 innings of relief, with Shaw sealing the win in the ninth despite a late Dubuque run.

Passmore led the offense, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Fleener added two hits and an RBI. Illinois College's pitching staff racked up 17 strikeouts, holding Dubuque's lineup in check.

Up Next
The Blueboys will look to build on their momentum when they return to action on Friday before heading back North in a doubleheader against Concorida College (Minn.).