Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Benedictine University baseball team swatted a season high 20 hits, but allowed Illinois Wesleyan to score twice in the bottom of the ninth to notch a 10-9 win on Wednesday night.

Benedictine grabbed the lead quickly, needing just three batters to open a 1-0 lead. Dan Zust opened the game with a double to left and scored with one out when Ryan Mullin singled to right. Kevin Callahan hit a two-run homer for Illinois Wesleyan in the bottom of the second to put the hosts ahead.

The Eagles immediately responded with six runs in the top of the third to take control and chase Illinois Wesleyan starter Nick Hahn. Following back-to-back doubles from Steve Cocat and Mullin, John Cervantes tied the game with an RBI single. Tom Higgins followed suit with an RBI single to put Benedictine ahead. Another run scored on an error to stretch the advantage to 4-2. Tim Hendricks logged an RBI single and Mike Loni drove home a run with a fielder's choice. The final run scored when Cocat lifted a sacrifice fly.

Illinois Wesleyan began the comeback in the bottom of the fifth, chasing starter Chris Jordan from the contest with a pair of runs to pull within 7-4. Hendricks delivered another RBI single in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 8-4. Illinois Wesleyan again responded, tacking three runs on in the bottom of the inning to pull within a run at 8-7. Kevin Sullivan delivered a two-run double in the frame.

Again Benedictine responded, adding to the lead with a run in the seventh on a Mullin RBI single to score Zust, who doubled. The Titans pulled within 9-8 in the eighth before scoring twice in the ninth against closer Shay Wagner to win the game. With one out after a sacrifice bunt pinch hitter Josh Levy delivered a two-run single to end the game. The two ninth inning runs were the first of the season allowed by Wagner, who had been 5-for-5 in save opportunities.

Five players posted more than one hit for Benedictine. Hendricks finished 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Zust, Cocat, and Mullin all picked up three hits at the top of the order. Nick Karakosta also added three hits.

Benedictine (14-13) has lost nine games by three runs or less this season and five by just a single tally. The Eagles return to Northern Athletics Conference action on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. by hosting Marian in a doubleheader on Get Your Red On Day at the Sports Complex. Wear red to the game and enjoy a pregame tailgate.