JACKSONVILLE, Illinois – Playing in its second extra inning affair of the season, the Ripon baseball program dropped a close 5-4 decision in 10 innings at Illinois College on Friday night at the Future Champs Complex.
 
The weekend series between the Red Hawks (4-10, 1-3 MWC) and Blueboys (15-8, 2-5 MWC) was originally scheduled to be played in Ripon, but inclement weather forced the series to be moved south. Ripon is the designated home team all weekend.
 
Ripon couldn't have asked for a much better start to open the game; with runners on first and second and two outs, Jack Anderson laced an RBI single to score Nick Tenny as the Red Hawks drew first blood. The next at-bat, Kyler Hickman doubled home Nick Terrell to double the lead. Soon after, Anderson scored on a passed ball and Ripon was up 3-0 after its highest-scoring opening frame of the season.
 
The score remained that way until Illinois College responded in the top of the fourth. After not advancing a runner past second for the first three innings, a two-out, two-run double inched the Blueboys closer. Ripon answered in the bottom of the fifth, however. With two outs, Tenny reached first on an error, allowing Michael Sheehy to score and the cushion was a pair of runs for the Red Hawks.
 
IC scored and threatened to tie the game in the next half inning. With runners on first and second and two outs, the Blueboys cut the deficit in half on an RBI single. The second baserunner, attempting to score from first, was thrown out by Terrell to preserve the Red Hawks' lead.
 
The Blueboys did tie the game in the top of the seventh, however. Facing new pitcher Brady Wotruba, Illinois College put runners on first and third with nobody out after a walk and single. A sacrifice fly tied the game, but Wotruba wiggled out of further danger with an inning-ending double play on the next at-bat.
 
Ripon had a prime opportunity to retake the lead in the bottom seventh. Following two singles and a walk, the bases were loaded with nobody out. However, IC's relief pitcher induced a pop-up, fielder's choice and groundout to end the inning and keep the game tied.
 
A similar situation occurred for Ripon in the bottom of the ninth – Kaleb Burns led off the inning with a walk before Alex Pankratz moved him into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. After Tenny reached base on an error, runners were at the corners with one out. Terrell was intentionally walked to load the bases, but a pop-up and strikeout pushed the game into extras.
 
Illinois College opened the 10th with a double and, soon after, a two-out, RBI double gave the Blueboys the lead for good.
 
Ripon had one last chance in the bottom of the 10th and threatened as they did all night long. However, the Red Hawks stranded a runner in scoring position to end the game.
 
Tenny led Ripon offensively, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. Pankratz (1-for-4), Anderson (1-for-5, RBI, run), Hickman (1-for-4, RBI, walk) and Sheehy (1-for-4, run, walk) also were in the hit column.
 
On the mound, Mitchell Lukasik pitched six innings of eight-hit ball, surrendering just three earned runs. Wotruba and Brett Tetzlaff each pitched a pair of innings – both gave up two hits and an earned run while Tetzlaff also punched out three.
 
NEXT UP: Ripon wraps up its series against the Blueboys on Saturday (April 6) with a doubleheader beginning at noon.
 
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