Becker's walk off helps Chiefs complete sweep of Prairie State

(Sugar Grove, IL.) - Ryan Becker's pinch hit, two-out, two-strike walk off single in the bottom of the seventh completed Waubonsee Community College's sweep of Prairie State College in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) action. After trouncing the Pioneers 11-1 in the opener, the Chiefs pulled out a 3-2 victory in the nightcap to improve to 14-4 overall on the season and 3-0 in ISCC play. 

The Pioneers scored twice in the top of the first courtesy of four hits, more than they had accumulated in the entire first game. As temperatures dropped and the intensity of the wind blowing in from left field increased, the Chiefs utilized 'small ball' to get on the scoreboard. Dolan Nicholson led off the bottom of the fourth with a bunt single. A sacrifice bunt and fly ball moved him over to third base with two away. However, Prairie State starting pitcher Carlos Barajas sustained an arm injury and had to leave the game. Zac Ruzich came on in relief and Waubonsee's Gavin Lovesky then delivered a two-out, two-strike single to right field to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the bottom of the fifth Chase Hartleben led off the inning with a walk and moved to third base on an errant pickoff attempt by Ruzich. With two outs Josh Meyers beat out a grounder to shortstop as Hartleben scored to tie the game.

A pair of defensive gems by Chiefs' first baseman Aaron Lange, and a sensational diving catch by Prairie State left fielder Brandon Durr kept the game deadlocked at two heading to the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and no one on base Hartleben was then hit by a pitch. The Chiefs' sophomore outfielder stole second moments later and scampered on to third when the ball skipped into center field. Becker then bounced a grounder through the right side of the infield for the game-winning hit. After surrendering four hits in the first inning alone, Logan Love scattered five hits over the final six innings. The sophomore right hander struck out six and walked no one in the complete game victory.