Today the Big Blue split with Carthage College in a doubleheader.
Game 1
In the first game, Millikin competed in a tight matchup.
Caleb Akins started on the mound for the Big Blue, pitching eight innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, and recording four strikeouts.
Nolan Reiman came in during the ninth and pitched three innings, allowing four hits, three strikeouts, and one run.
The Big Blue got things started in the bottom of the first as Ty Cribbett singled through the left side and Kolby Koslofski walked. Carder Reich came up to the plate and scored Cribbett on a shot to right field.
The Firebirds fought back in the top of the second, scoring one run on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1. The Firebirds tried to capitalize further with a line drive to right field, but a relay from Sam Bushur to Caleb Akins to Gage Reynolds got the baserunner out at home.
In the second inning, Millikin took back the lead as Gage Reynolds got things going with a single to the right side. Leyton Ivers then singled up the middle. Pete Britton came in clutch, plating Reynolds with a single to the right side, making the score 2-1.
In the fifth, Carthage scored two runs to take the lead, 3-2. With the bases loaded and one out, Pete Britton, Carder Reich, and Easton Steck turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and prevent another run.
Aiden Simmons came through with a clutch single to right field, plating Bushur to tie the game at 3-3.
In the top of the tenth, with the winning run on second, a line drive to right field resulted in Sam Bushur throwing the runner out at home.
In the eleventh, Millikin fell as Carthage took the lead 4-3.
Game 2
In the second game, Matthew Brummer started on the mound for the Big Blue, pitching seven innings, allowing six hits, one run, and recording four strikeouts.
Millikin's bats got rolling in the first with three runs on the scoreboard. Carder Reich plated Leyton Ivers with a single up the middle. Kolby Koslofski kept it going, plating Ty Cribbett with a single. Sam Bushur added another run on a fielder's choice.
Ty Cribbett had a line drive up the middle, and Carder Reich showed off his speed after reaching on a bunt and advancing on a balk. Kolby Koslofski walked, loading the bases, and Sam Bushur hit a sacrifice fly to score a run in the third.
Carthage scored one run in the fifth.
Bushur added more runs to the board with a line drive to right-center, plating Cribbett. With the bases loaded, Simmons took one for the team with a hit-by-pitch to bring Reich home. Decker Anderson also walked to bring in Bushur. Ivers added a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Mick Niebrugge, giving Millikin an 8-1 lead in the fifth.
In the sixth, Millikin scored two more runs off wild pitches and one run of a Niebrugge single.
Millikin won in the seventh inning, 11-1.
The defense was strong all day, highlighted by standout performances from Sam Bushur and Carder Reich, along with an amazing play by Matthew Brummer that helped set the tone.
Offensive leader of the day was Ty Cribbett as he went 6 for 7 with a double and five singles.
Millikin will face the Firebirds tomorrow in their final series game, starting at 2:00 p.m.
