Jay Eckhouse is in his 14th season as head coach of Illinois College. Illinois College athletic photo

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Illinois College baseball team batted around in the top of the first inning and continued its consistent hitting throughout the game.  The Blueboys scored eight runs against the Northland College starting pitcher and continued to overwhelm Lumberjack pitching throughout the day in a 16-2 victory. The win was the 200th career victory for Jay Eckhouse and lifted the Blueboys to a 1-0 start on the season.

Josh Krumwiede started a two-out first inning rally with a double to right center. Austin Peck and Zac Schopp followed the double up with RBI singles to stake starting pitcher D.J. Davis to an early lead. A string of singles followed and Matt Jagodzinski drove in two runs with the bases loaded for a 4-0 advantage in the top of the first.  

Davis set the tone early against Northland, only allowing one hit in the bottom of the first inning while striking out one, a trend that would continue the rest of the way.

Back to bat in the second inning, the IC bats continued to find gaps in the Lumberjack defense. Austin Dormire singled to right center and a trio of singles followed, including RBIs again from Peck and Schopp. The lead was then extended to 8-0 in the third off of a two-run home run from Krumwiede down the left field line.

That home run chased Logan Schuman from the game and reliever Jacob Smith was able to quiet the Blueboys for the next few innings, but Davis was nearly unhittable and struck out 10 Northland batters in seven innings of work.

The Illinois College bats came to life again in the 7th inning, as they put up seven more runs in the inning to seal the victory. Jonathan Schrage started off the inning with a single to center. Lucas Marlow doubled down the right field line. Nick Dalfonso showcased his speed, beating out an infield single.  Dormire then drove in a pair from a triple to left center. Peck and Schrage – batting for the second time in the inning – then drove in two runs each following the hit with doubles of their own.

Every starter for the Illinois College offense had at least one hit in the game, pounding out a total of 23 as a team. Schopp led the way by going 4-of-6 with three RBIs. Krumwiede was 3-of-4 and scored four runs, while Peck and Schrage each were 3-of-5. Jake Horve and Zack Hanlon each worked one inning of relief to close it out for the Blueboys.