Baseball Splits against Parkland College

The Lincoln Land baseball team traveled to Champaign, Illinois on Saturday to take on Parkland College at the University of Illinois.  Lincoln Land dropped its third game in a row in game one, losing 8-3, and won 6-2 in game two.

Lincoln Land came out of the gate in game one scoring three runs in the top of the first. Logger first baseman Ben Hecht  and second baseman Xavier Collier hit bases loaded singles to drive in Tyler Borski  and Tyler Ring for the game's first runs.  Conor White scored the third Logger run on a Parkland error.  

The Cobras answered with a single run in their half of the first.  Lead off man Donovan Chandler hit a routine pop up that fell for a double when left fielder Tyler Borski lost the ball in the sun. Chandler eventually scored on a ground out to first, making the score 3-1 Loggers.

The lead lasted until the bottom of the fourth when the Loggers committed six errors in the inning, allowing the Cobras to score seven runs, only two of them earned, and take an 8-3 lead.  The scoring would end for both teams as both starters settled in.  Parkland's Brady Schanuel got the win hurling six strong innings, allowing the Logger's only three runs on five hits, three walks and six strike outs. Logger starter Chris Robinson(2-3) took the loss.

The Loggers would salvage the series with a win in game two, winning 6-2 in nine innings. The game was scoreless for seven whole innings as Logger lefty Konnor Aherin and Parkland's Ryan Fox dueled it out. Both pitchers ended with no decisions.  Lincoln Land took the lead with the first run of the game in the top of the eighth when Tyler Borski drove in Matt Sekardi with an RBI single. Borski, who advanced to second on an the previous play, stole third base and score on an errant throw by by parkland catcher Will Corn to give the Loggers a 2-0 lead. 

Parkland tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, getting a clutch two out, two run single from Curtiss Johnson extending the game into the ninth inning.

With the game tied at two, the Loggers sent all nine hitters to the plate in the top of the ninth to score 4 runs on five hits to take a 6-2 lead.  The rally began with back to back one out singles from Jake Morsch (2 for 4) and Xavier Collier (1 for 2).  A wild pitch would advance the two base runners into scoring position. Micheal Ryan was then intentionally walked to load the bases.  Peyton Minder and Matt Sekardi followed with back to back RBI singles, and Tyler Borski ripped a two run double to give the Loggers the 6-2 lead.  

Logan Reardon(1-1) shut the door in the ninth and would get the win for the Loggers in relief of Konner Aherin.  Aherin pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, striking out 9 Cobras and only walking one. 

The Loggers are now 21-14 on the season and 11-5 in the MWAC conference.  Lincoln Land will host Robert Morris Peoria at home on Wednesday, April 13 in a non conference double header.