FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Edgewood College baseball team wrapped up their annual trip to sunny Florida with a doubleheader split with Knox College. The Eagles couldn't manage to win a 3-2 pitchers' duel in the opener, but roared back with 18 hits in the second game to secure a wild 17-9 victory.
In game one, the Eagles couldn't pull out a victory after a second straight complete game performance by starting pitcher Bridger Berrett. Knox College (3-6) scored one run in the first, but Edgewood College answered right back in the top of the second. Garrett Bogucki stroked one-out triple and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Lehner. The Prairie Fire scored two more in the third to take a 3-1 lead.
In the fourth inning, Brad Clark extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single, and Jacob Yellovich moved him to third with a double. Clark then scored on Bogucki's sacrifice fly to center field. Edgewood College (3-7) put a runner in scoring position in the fifth and loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, but couldn't push the tying run across the plate.
Berrett allowed two earned runs in six innings of work, while striking out five batters. At the plate, the Eagles were led by Yellovich who went 2-for-3 with a double.
Game two turned into a rout, when the Eagles posted a total of 16 runs in the first four innings. Edgewood College bounced back from an early 2-0 deficit with six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Brodie Engel, Zack Creekmore, Danny Appino and Bogucki all had RBI singles in the second.
The Eagles tacked on three more in the third and then dropped the hammer with seven runs in the fourth inning. Pat Manning had an RBI triple in the fourth, while Creekmore drove in two runs with an RBI double for a 16-4 lead. Knox College's Ryan Weitendorf posted a highlight with a fifth inning grand slam, but Eagles were firmly in control.
Engel set a new career-high with his first four-hit game. He went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Manning went 3-for-4 in the game with a triple, while Creekmore was 2-for-3 with a double and a team-high four RBIs. Adam Eck started the game and went three innings, before giving way to Erick Wendt. Eck allowed two earned runs and three hits while striking out two Knox batters. Wendt closed out the final four innings to earn his second win of the season.
Edgewood College loaded the bus after the game and departed Florida on their way back north. Weather permitting, the Eagles will open their NACC season next Saturday with a doubleheader at MSOE. Edgewood College's home opener is scheduled for Sunday, March 28 against Rockford University at Stampfl Field in Verona.
