Smith Shines, Chargers Turn Game-Ending Triple Play in Sweep of McHenry Co.

GALESBURG — The Carl Sandburg College baseball team turned a game-ending triple play in Game 1, and David Smith delivered a dazzling performance in Game 2 against McHenry County on Saturday as the Chargers hosted weekend doubleheaders against the Scots and nationally ranked Madison at the Hungate Baseball/Softball Complex. 

SATURDAY
Game 1
Sandburg 6, McHenry County 4
McHenry Co.   000      202      0          —        4          8          5
Sandburg         202      002      x          —        6          7          2
W – Brycen McGarry 1 IP, 1 K, 0 BB
SV – Frank Kelch 1 IP, 0 K, 0 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• The Scots plated two in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 4-4, but Sandburg regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Noah Wolf reached on an error to open the inning, and Payton Hankins pushed him to third with a double. With one out, Will Prince smacked a single to center that brought both runners home.
• McHenry County opened the seventh with back-to-back singles against Frank Kelch. Looking to bunt the runners over, the Scots batter popped the ball up, and Kelch made a lunging grab. From the seat of his pants, Kelch threw to Jose Narvaez at first base to double off one runner, and Narvaez threw to Wolf to get the runner at second for a game-ending 1-4-6 triple play.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Prince finished 1 for 4, but his two-run single in the sixth proved to be the game-winner.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Jaden Coleman — 2 for 3, double, run
• Hankins — 1 for 4, double, two runs
• Chase Mason — 1 for 2, two RBIs
• Cameron Howard — 5 innings, 2 runs (0 earned), 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks

Game 2
Sandburg 5, McHenry County 3
McHenry Co.   000      000      3          —        3          4          1
Sandburg         101      201      X          —        5          8          1
W – David Smith 6 IP, 9 K, 2 BB
SV – Kelch 0.2 IP, 0 K, 0 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• Up 2-0 in the fourth, the Chargers doubled their advantage. Kadin Spencer led off with a single, and Wolf walked before a Hankins sacrifice bunt. Austin Wiegand then came through with a two-run double to right for a 4-0 lead.
• The Scots brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh before Kelch came on to get the last two outs and record his second save of the day. Protecting a 5-2 lead with runners at second and third and one away, he got a groundout to short. Kelch then closed out the victory with a liner to Wolf at shortstop.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Smith turned in his best start of the season, pitching six shutout innings. The sophomore righthander struck out nine, allowed just three hits and walked two for his second win of the year. Smith threw 58 of his 94 pitches for strikes.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Austin Wiegand — 3 for 4, double, two runs, two RBIs, stolen base

SUNDAY
Game 1
No. 18 Madison 7, Sandburg 1
Madison          001      101      4          —        7          5          2
Sandburg         000      100      1          —        1          5          5
L – Jaden Coleman 4.2 IP, 6 K, 8 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• Down 2-0 in the fourth, the Chargers got on the board as Wiegand doubled to center to start the inning, and he scored on Mason's single to left.
• The WolfPack took a 3-1 lead into the seventh and tacked on scored four times with the help of four Chargers errors.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Coleman kept the Chargers within striking distance, allowing just two runs (one earned) over 4.2 innings. The sophomore southpaw gave up three hits, walked eight and struck out six Madison batters.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Mason — 2 for 3, double, RBI
• Wiegand — 1 for 3, double, run

Game 2
No. 18 Madison 21, Sandburg 4
Madison          117      66        —        21        15        0
Sandburg         300      10        —        4          5          3
L – Parker Stoneking 3 IP, 4 K, 3 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• Sandburg jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first inning as Mason drove in two runs with a double and Narvaez came through with a two-out RBI single.
• With the Chargers still ahead 3-2 in the third, Madison sent 13 batters to the plate in a seven-run inning and never looked back.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Wolf lined a home run to left in the fourth inning for his first longball of the season.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Wiegand — 2 for 3, double
• Mason — Double, two RBIs

UP NEXT
2:30 p.m. Thursday at South Suburban 

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