Connor Gross edit
Kevin Krows/Millikin University
7
Winner Millikin MILLIKIN 1-3
3
MacMurray MACM 0-3
Winner
Millikin MILLIKIN
1-3
7
Final
3
MacMurray MACM
0-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Millikin MILLIKIN 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 7 6 0
MacMurray MACM 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 10 6

W: Gross, Connor (1-0) L: H. Radford (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Big Blue Baseball Scores Neutral Site Victory

Millikin baseball traveled to Lenz Field in Jacksonville to take on MacMurray in a game that was not featured on the schedule 36 hours prior to first pitch. With the possibility for inclement weather in the coming days and weeks in Central Illinois and throughout the Midwest, the Highlanders and Big Blue decided to meet at the all turf Lenz Field for a non-conference matchup with Millikin picking up a 7-3 victory.

MacMurray got on the board with one run in both of the first two innings, but Millikin starting pitcher Connor Gross was able to strand three runners in those innings to limit the damage. Millikin capitalized on two Highlander errors in the top of the third inning to score three runs of their own to take the lead that they wouldn't give back. Then back to back errors to lead off the inning allowed junior Colin Jamison and freshman Frank Bryan to reach base and were sacrificed bunted to second and third by Millikin leadoff hitter Brent Beals. Millikin got on the board on a Luke Azzarelli fielder's choice to make it 2-1 MacMurray. Millikin senior Jon Walters then delivered a two out, two run double to make the game 3-2.
Kyle Kane led off the top of the fourth inning with a walk and later advanced to third on an error by the MacMurray shortstop on a Jamison groundball. Millikin freshman Trevor Durand delivered an RBI single to score Kane and make the game 4-2. MacMurray answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth, but that would be all the scoring for the Highlanders for the rest of the day, with Millikin relievers Evan Lawrence and Beals combining for four innings of shutout baseball. The Millikin staff gave up just three walks on the day, while striking out ten.

The Big Blue added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to help seal the victory. Hits by Walters and Anthony Bryan led off the inning, and Kane drove in runs on a fielder's choice and error to make the game 6-3, and Frank Bryan scored Kane with an RBI to finish off the scoring for the Big Blue. With tough weather conditions and a game time temperature at a generous 40 degrees, Walters knew he would have to be tough at the plate today.

"I had to grind out at-bats, said Walters. "The team's energy was great throughout, and by the end we were finally able to break through together. It was great to get that first win."
Walters led the Big Blue at the plate and was 2-5 with two RBI. Connor Gross earned the win on the mound with five innings pitched and five strikeouts.

"After a rocky first outing in Arkansas, it felt great to get back out there and work on getting ahead of hitters today," said Gross. "There are still improvements to be made, but it was great to get that first win under our belt with the boys."

Millikin is scheduled to be back in action next in Seguin, Texas in a three game series against Texas Lutheran that begins March 8  at 7 p.m. Follow @BigBlueBaseball on Twitter for updates to the schedule, and other information on Big Blue Baseball.
 
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