VU Baseball tops S. Suburban, falls to Kankakee Saturday

AUTHOR: TRAILBLAZER WILLIE

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. – The Vincennes University Baseball Team won one of two games Saturday, topping host South Suburban, 8-7, and then being blanked, 12-0, by Kankakee on the South Suburban field in South Holland, IL. VU clawed back from an early 4-0 deficit against South Suburban in the Trailblazers’ first game of the day Saturday, helped by sophomore Logan Coughlin’s two-run home run and four RBI. The Bulldogs plated four runs in the first off VU sophomore starter Trent Simpson before the Trailblazers got two runs in the third. The teams stayed even, each scoring three runs through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, until VU scored three more times in the seventh for the win. Simpson (7-3) went six innings and gave up seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk anyone. Freshman Alex Lyons finished up on the mound for VU with one inning of scoreless, no-hit work for his third save.

The Trailblazer comeback was partially fueled by Coughlin’s two-run double that tied the game in the fourth inning. Coughlin was 2-for-4 and sophomore Daniel Sander was 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. Also, sophomores Zach Deutsch and Austin Roberson were 1-for-1. Deutsch knocked in a run. In the game vs. Kankakee, the Trailblazers gave up two runs in each of the first two innings and the Cavaliers then ended it early by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fourth before holding VU scoreless in the top of the fifth. Kankakee got its 12 runs on only seven hits. VU sophomore starter Jake Mills (4-3) gave up six runs over three innings on four hits and three bases on balls. He struck out three. Zach Reinig, Colton Pittman and Mitchell Lawson went the rest of the way for the Trailblazers. Reinig was charged with four earned runs and Pittman two. Freshman Robbie Doring was 3-for-3 with a double and Sander was 1-for-2 in the second game of the day. The Trailblazers will take on South Suburban again Sunday with the first pitch of the nine-inning game at 11 a.m. (Vincennes time). VU will return home to host Sinclair in a Tuesday doubleheader that begins at 2p.m. and then play St. Joseph’s in a twinbill Friday that starts at 1p.m.

Six VU pitchers contain Danville for 11-1 victory.

REPORTED BY: TRAILBLAZER WILLIE The Vincennes University Baseball Team defeated visiting Danville Area by a score of 11-1 Wednesday night at Jerry Blemker Field. VU improves to 22-11 on the season. The Trailblazers used six different pitchers in seven innings of play. The string of pitchers allowed a single run in the top of the first, and only gave up four hits throughout the game. VU committed only one error, which came in the third inning. VU pummeled the Danville defense for 11 runs on 11 hits, and Danville committed four errors in the seven inning game. Freshman Colton Pittman was the VU pitcher for the second and third innings and he picked up the win. The other Trailblazer hurlers Wednesday were: Zach Reinig, first inning,Cory Reynolds, fourth inning,Alex Lyons, fifth inning,Mitchell Lawson, sixth inning, and, Jason Reboulet, seventh inning At the plate, freshman Robbie Doring was 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, sophomore Daniel Sander was 2-for-3 with two RBI’s. In addition, freshman Lance Myers was 1-for-4 with 2 RBI’s and sophomore Trent Simpson was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI’s.

The next game for the Trailblazers will be Friday when they travel to Naperville, Illinois to take on North Central College in a nine inning game beginning at 4 p.m. Vincennes time.

Mills' no-hitter highlights VUs doubleheader split at Parkland

REPORTED BY: TRAILBLAZER WILLIE CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Vincennes University sophomore Jake Mills threw a seven-inning no-hitter in the second game of the VU Blazer Baseball Team’s doubleheader split Sunday at Parkland. The Trailblazers dropped the opener 8-3 and then had 16 hits behind Mills for a 16-0 win in the nightcap. “Obviously, Mills threw the ball extremely well, but the offense stepped up in that second game too,” VU Coach Chris Barney said. “We did what we needed to do and played better baseball.” Mills struck out six and walked three in the “no-no” to improve to 4-2 on the season. The Game 2 VU offensive onslaught included freshman Brad Hartman’s 2-for-5 and four-RBI day, plus sophomore Logan Coughlin’s 2-for-3 and two-RBI performance. Coughlin had a triple and a double, while Hartman and sophomore Trent Simpson added doubles as well.

The Trailblazers (21-11) also got two runs driven in by freshman Matt Volz and sophomore Austin Roberson. The remaining RBI were by sophomore Jared Melliff and freshmen Robbie Doring and Kaleb Waller. In the first game, Simpson went five innings on the mound and went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple and run batted in. But VU committed three errors and Simpson (5-3) was touched up for seven hits and seven runs (six earned). He also walked three Cobra hitters. Sophomore Ryan Cheek relieved Simpson and yielded one hit and an unearned run in one inning of work. Freshman Jake Carey had a double and Doring drove in a run in the second game. VU will host Danville at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Jerry Blemker Field.

Tartan Pride drops high-scoring affair to Vincennes University, 15-10

Eight hits weren't enough for Tartan Pride as it lost a shootout, 15-10 in seven innings, to Vincennes University on Tuesday at Grady's Field. Mark Carpenter racked up three RBIs on three hits for Tartan Pride. He homered in the second inning and singled in the third and sixth innings. Cheek got the win for Vincennes University despite allowing eight runs over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three, walked seven and surrendered five hits. Vincennes University's Doring, Sander, Myers and Volz combined for nine hits and nine RBIs. Drew Murray was charged with the loss. He lasted just 1 1/3 innings, walked two, struck out one, and allowed three runs. Vincennes University jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. A single by Sander, scoring Meliff started the inning off. More runs came home for Vincennes University when Sander scored on an RBI triple by Myers and Myers scored on a sacrifice fly by Simpson. Tartan Pride answered Vincennes University's top inning with three runs of its own in the second. Tartan Pride scored on a three-run home run by Mark. Tartan Pride posted one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh. In the fifth, Tartan Pride scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Young, plating Jimmy White. The lead stayed with Vincennes University after the sixth, when it scored three runs on a two-run double by Myers and an error. Vincennes University added five more runs in the top of the seventh. A clutch scored Volz to open the scoring in the frame. That was followed up by Doring's single, scoring Hartman. One run in the bottom of the seventh helped Tartan Pride close its deficit to 15-10. A groundout by Mitch Roman triggered Tartan Pride's comeback. Vincennes University closed the game out when #9 got Alonso Palacios to strike out.

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VU Trailblazers outlast Harper College in high-scoring affair, 16-13

Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair Sunday as VU Trailblazers outscored Harper College 16-13 in seven innings. Hitters on both sides were strong at the plate as the teams combined for 29 hits, including 10+ extra base hits. Harper College jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Blazers came out swinging, scoring 11 runs in the first inning to jump ahead the Hawks. Daniel Sanders racked up three RBIs on two hits for the Blazers. He singled in the first inning and doubled in the second inning. The Blazers hammered the Hawks pitching as six hitters had a field day, combining for 11 hits, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored. The Blazers added five more runs in the bottom of the second. Zach Deutsch's double got things going, scoring Brad Hartman. That was followed up by Robbie Doring's single, bringing home Zach Deutsch. After pushing across four runs in the top of the third, the Hawks faced just a 15-5 deficit. An RBI double, a fielder's choice, and a two-run double by Hawks players sparked Harper College's rally. The Harper College threat came to an end when Zach Reining finally got Hawks batter to ground out. After pushing across six runs in the top of the fifth, Harper College faced just a 15-11 deficit. An RBI double, an RBI single, a walk, a passed ball, a wild pitch, and a passed ball triggered the Hawks comeback. Finally, Colton Pittman got Hawks batter to ground out to end the game. VU Trailblazers outlast Harper College in high-scoring affair, 16-13 March 23, 2014 at 10:16pm March 23, 2014 Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair Sunday as VU Trailblazers outscored Harper College 16-13 in seven innings. Hitters on both sides were strong at the plate as the teams combined for 29 hits, including 10+ extra base hits. Harper College jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Blazers came out swinging, scoring 11 runs in the first inning to jump ahead the Hawks. Daniel Sanders racked up three RBIs on two hits for the Blazers. He singled in the first inning and doubled in the second inning. The Blazers hammered the Hawks pitching as six hitters had a field day, combining for 11 hits, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored. The Blazers added five more runs in the bottom of the second. Zach Deutsch's double got things going, scoring Brad Hartman. That was followed up by Robbie Doring's single, bringing home Zach Deutsch.

After pushing across four runs in the top of the third, the Hawks faced just a 15-5 deficit. An RBI double, a fielder's choice, and a two-run double by Hawks players sparked Harper College's rally. The Harper College threat came to an end when Zach Reining finally got Hawks batter to ground out. After pushing across six runs in the top of the fifth, Harper College faced just a 15-11 deficit. An RBI double, an RBI single, a walk, a passed ball, a wild pitch, and a passed ball triggered the Hawks comeback. Finally, Colton Pittman got Hawks batter to ground out to end the game.

VU Blazers survives Harper College rally, escapes with 6-4 victory

Harper College Hawks were never able to get over the hump and get over its troubles against Vincennes Blazers on Saturday, as the Hawks fell 6-4 at Jerry Blemker Field after falling behind by three runs in the second inning. The Hawks scored on a sacrifice fly and a walk in the fourth inning, an error in the fifth inning, and an error in the sixth inning. Unfortunately, the Hawks weren't able to take the lead back. Robbie Doring got a hit in each of his two at bats. He singled in the second and fourth innings. Harper College Hawks ouldn't get anything going as long as Alex Lyons was pitching. Alex held the Hawks hitless over 1 2/3 innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out four. The Blazers didn't relinquish the lead after scoring one run in the first inning when it scored on an RBI double by Lance Myers. As the Blazers tacked on another two runs in the second. The inning got off to a hot start when Austin Roberson doubled, plating Robbie. The VU Blazers posted one run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth. In the fourth, they scored on a groundout by Austin, scoring Robbie. Blazers scored on a groundout by Dakota Rodgers. The Vincennes Blazers quickly matched Harper College Hawks's strong inning with a one-run inning of its own in the sixth. Blazers scored on an RBI single by Logan Coughlin.

VU Trailblazers falls 10-3 to South Suburban College despite Lance Myers's effort

VU Trailblazers lost 10-3 to South Suburban College Saturday at Jerry Blemker Field despite Lance Myers's two-hit day at the dish. Lance got a hit in each of his two at bats. He singled in the third and fifth innings. Drew Johnston put together a nice outing. Drew held South Suburban College hitless over two innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out one. South Suburban College went up for good in the first, scoring three runs on a two-run double and an RBI single. South Suburban College tacked on another four runs in the second. A passed ball scored the runner for the inning's first run. Three runs in the bottom of the third helped the Blazers close its deficit to 7-3. An RBI single by Lance and a two-run single by Logan Coughlin triggered the Blazers comeback. South Suburban College piled on two more runs in the top of the fourth. A bases loaded walk scored to get South Suburban College on the board in the inning.