Box Score

CAROL STREAM, Ill. – Wheaton pushed across the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the seventh Saturday at Lee Pfund Stadium and held on to defeat Augustana 7-6 in the rubber game of the teams' three-game weekend series. The Vikings dropped to 13-5 overall and 1-2 in the CCIW, while the Thunder improved to 11-9 overall and 2-3 in the league.
 
Juniors Ryan Kairis (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.) and Gunnar Haskins (Alleman HS, Moline Ill.) sandwiched singles around one by sophomore Jake Huber (Lockport HS, Hoer Glen, Ill.) in the top of the first to get Augustana on the board. Haskins' hit to right plated Kairis with the game's first run and Huber later scored on a Wheaton error to make it 2-0 Vikings after a half inning.
 
The hosts answered with three off sophomore Chris Refka (Palatine HS, Palatine, Ill.) in the bottom half, benefiting from four walks and a hit batter. Seth Meyer's two-run single to left was the big hit.
 
In the second, senior John Moraski (Kewanee HS, Kewanee, Ill.) drew a leadoff walk from Thunder starter Grant Howell and scored the tying run on a passed ball. Augustana retook the lead in the third when Huber reached on an error leading off and eventually scored on a groundout by senior Matt Loeffl (Grayslake Central HS, Grayslake, Ill.).
 
Refka had hung up goose eggs after the first, but in the bottom of the fifth, Ben Brittain had a one-out single to center and Johnny Peltz followed with a homer to left center to put Wheaton back on top 5-4.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Vikings scored twice, marking the fourth lead change of the game. Senior Jack Hallmark (Cherry Creek, Englewood, Colo.) drew a two-out walk and moved to second on Howell's errant pickoff attempt. After senior Carter Amundsen (Sheboygan South HS, Sheboygan, Ill.) moved him to third with a single, Hallmark stole home, tying it at 5-all. Kairis followed with a triple to right center that plated Amundsen with the go-ahead run.
 
Wheaton rallied for the eventually game-winner with two out in the seventh. After Refka retired Peltz and Clay Morrison to start the inning, he issued a base-on-balls to Joel Pierce. Meyers followed with a double to left, putting runners at second and third and prompting Coach Greg Wallace to summon freshman John Hayes (Cherry Creek HS, Greenwood Village, Colo.) from the bullpen. A wild pitch scored Pierce with the tying run and Jacob Garrity's single to center brought in Meyer to give the Thunder a 7-6 lead. Senior Mitch Malone (Minooka HS, Minooka, Ill.) came on to get the final out of the inning.
 
Luke Kram threw a scoreless eighth for Wheaton and Nick Johnson retired Augustana in order in the ninth to earn his fifth save of the season.
 
Refka suffered his first loss in five decisions this year. He surrendered six hits in 6 2/3 innings, but battled uncharacteristic control problems, surpassing his previous season total with seven walks and hitting two batters. The Thunder's Caleb Selk (2-0), who threw a scoreless a seventh inning out of the pen, earned the win.
 
Haskins went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Vikings. Amundsen and Kairis each added a pair of hits.
 
Wallace's club is back in action on Tuesday, April 3, traveling to Naperville, Illinois for a CCIW single game versus North Central. First pitch at Zimmerman Stadium is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.