After trading wins for loses in multiple games, The Cougars looked to put some wins together to fight back over .500. The offense would help do its part in some big performances.
Traveling to South Bend to take on Indiana University-South Bend, Cougars looked to continue their winning ways in conference play, coming in with a 10-5 record against their conference opponents.
Taking on a struggling team, the Cougars looked to pounce in game one against Indiana-South Bend. Starter Pitcher Tyler Hebel looked to continue his strong season on the mound.
The game was scoreless for the first couple innings before Indiana-South Bend struck first and put a run on the board in the bottom of the third. The lead wouldn’t last too long.
The top of the fifth would be the big inning for the Cougars. Leading the inning off with two runners on and no outs, they played a little small ball, tying the game with a sacrifice fly after a double steal put runners in scoring position.
After tying the game, the Cougars would strike for three more runs in the inning to take a 4-1 lead. That would be all the Cougars needed after the pitching shut the game down.
Hebel would go five strong innings and closer Erik Eggert would come in and pick up the two inning save.
After a low-scoring game one victory, game two would be much different, but not the results. The Cougars’ bats were on fire.
Down 2-0 in the top of the second, Jack Gainer would lead off the inning with a solo home run. The Cougars would cross another run at the plate and tie the ballgame up.
This was the start of the offensive display. In the top of the third with a runner on, Gainer would homer again, putting the Cougars up by two.
With a two run lead going into the top of the fifth inning, the Cougars would light up the scoresheet and put the game away. Tallying seven hits for six runs.
Each hitter in the starting lineup would end up getting at least one base hit as the Cougars won 15-4 and swept the series.
After a successful trip to South Bend, the Cougars traveled to Romeoville visiting Lewis University. This game would end in a football score.
Though the offense would do it’s part, the Cougars would struggle to establish anything on the mound. Each pitcher who would take the mound for the Cougars would give up at least one run in the process, falling to Romeoville 22-12.
After a quick pitstop, The Cougars found themselves back in Indiana to take on Cal College St.Joe. This game would end in another football score, but in the favor of the Cougars.
A nine-run third inning and a six-run fourth inning gave the Cougars the spark it needed after a tough loss to Lewis. Gainer would continue his power surge with another homer and was joined by second basemen Griffin Bright, as he added one of his own.
After allowing more than 20 runs in their previous game, the Cougars would score 21 themselves, taking game one in the series.
Game two saw another struggling outing from Cougars pitching as starter Logan Demato struggled in his four innings of work. The defense struggled too, commiting a total of five errors in the ballgame.
The offense tried to fight back in the final inning. Trailing 10-1 in the top of the ninth, the Cougars could’ve just accepted the loss and fight another day, but they showed fight. They would score five runs, but would eventually fall 10-6.
The last of of the series would be postponed due to weather. The makeup of the game will be played on April 19 at Ferrell Field.
Dominic Pellegrini
Sports Reporter