The Big Blue opened their weekend with the Jimmy John's Invite on Saturday with a dominant 12–1 win in seven innings over Lawrence University.
Lawrence struck first in the top of the second inning, scoring one run to take an early lead. Millikin quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning with a huge offensive surge, scoring nine runs to take control of the game.
Easton Steck started the rally with a line drive to center field. Gage Reynolds followed with a sacrifice bunt that resulted in Steck scoring. Shortly after, Pete Britton delivered a deep fly ball to right field that brought inthree runs, and Britton later scored on a throwing error.
The offense continued to roll as Carder Reich doubled to score Ty Cribbett, and Steck came up again later in the inning, singling to bring Reich home. Julian Cabanin added a single to put two runners on base before Reynolds capped off the inning with a line drive that scored both runners, giving Millikin a 9–1 lead.
Millikin added to their lead later in the game. In the fourth inning, Kameron Ross singled to plate Reynolds. Leyton Ivers also contributed offensively with a double down the right field line and later scored on a throwing error.
On the mound, Caleb Akins delivered a dominant performance and made great plays. He had pitched seven innings while allowing just one hit, striking out eight, and giving up only one run to earn the win.
At the plate, Gage Reynolds led the Big Blue offense, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Easton Steck, Leyton Ivers, and Carder Reich each recorded two hits, while Pete Britton, Ty Cribbett, Julian Cabanin, and Kameron Ross each added a hit.
Millikin closed out the game 12–1 in the seventh inning. Next up they will face Knox College at 12:40 to finish up the day.
