LLCC Baseball - Springfield

The Lincoln Land baseball Loggers (2-0) opened their 2017 campaign on Friday with a two game sweep of Kishwaukee College (0-2), winning 6-2 and 2-1.
 

In game one, freshman righty Devin Smith took the mound for the Loggers to make his college debut.  Kishwaukee didn't waste any time breaking the rookie in, scoring their first run of the season in the top half the first inning.  Lead off man Dylan Smith led the game off with a single to center, and would eventually score as Smith would go on to walk three consecutive batters in the inning to walk in the game's first run.  Smith settled down after that and did not surrender another run in his five innings of work.  

Lincoln Land tied the game in the bottom the second inning.  Sophomore transfer Austin Deal led off the inning with a walk and would later score on Aaron Steinhoff's sacrifice fly to the left center field wall.  The Loggers took a 3-1 lead the following inning in the bottom of the third when freshman left fielder Jonathan Walder (1 for 3, RBI) singled in shortstop Nick Maton (2 for 2). Lincoln Land added to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings, plating three more runs, highlighted by an RBI double from sophomore center fielder Sam Anderson and a sacrifice fly from freshman designated hitter CJ Fleming.  Kishwaukee added a run in the top of the sixth inning off sophomore reliever Noah Kesselmayer, but it would not be enough, as the Loggers went on to win the season opener 6-2.

The Loggers finished with 9 hits in the contest, three of them coming from freshman catcher Clay Bachman.  Smith (1-0) was awarded the win, he finished with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks.

In the night cap, the Loggers prevailed in a pitchers dual winning 2-1.  Lincoln Land handed the ball to freshman southpaw Tristan Weaver, son of former Logger pitching coach Eric Weaver.  Tristan was outstanding in his college debut, unfortunately getting a no decision in his 6 innings of work.  Weaver surrendered 4 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 13.

Lincoln Land led the game 1-0 through Tristan's six innings, scoring their first run on freshman third baseman Carson Armsbury's infield single that scored sophomore catcher Mike Ryan.  Kishwaukee would not go down quietly, as they rallied to tie the game 1-1 with two outs and two strikes off closer Nick Maton.  After a two out bloop double down the left field line, Kishwaukee pinch hitter Gabe Yerian singled to knot the score.  

The Loggers responded with a seventh inning rally of their own.  Sophmore second baseman Xavier Collier led off with a double to deep center field.  He would eventually come around to score after advancing to third on a wild pitch, and then scored on another to end the game.  

The Loggers plan to be in action again this coming Tuesday, Feb. 28 at home against Kishwaukee, before they head off for their spring trip to Florida.