Titan-Sized Success

Image courtesy of Kodiak Creative

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.-The Illinois Wesleyan Men’s Baseball team recently on a three game winning streak, beating Elmhurst in a doubleheader with scores of 16-4 and 14-2, and Carthage with a score of 10-6. Senior Dominic DiLello attributed the Titan’s success to jumping on pitchers early. 

“As hitters, we were jumping on guys early, we’d score in the first or second inning, get ahead early, and just keep the pressure on,” said DiLello. 

DiLello also credits the pitching, specifically senior Jake Duffy, for the team’s success during the winning streak.

“Pitching-wise, they were just pounding the zone, filling it up, throwing strikes, really competing,” said DiLello.

 Duffy asserted that the success of the  hitters allowed the pitchers to succeed. 

“The hitters really helped the pitchers relax, because when the hitters put up eight runs, pitching becomes a lot easier,” said Duffy. 

Duffy himself contributed a season high seven innings on April 9th, pointing to his teammates’ contributions at the plate allowing him to relax. 

“I had really good command of my stuff that day, and like I said when the runners put up a lot of runs in the first inning, that gives me a lot of relief, the pressure gets taken off my shoulders, I can throw what I want, and if I give up a run, we’re not in a bad situation or anything,” said Duffy. 

“I know I have offensive power behind me, I had good feel, good defense behind me making plays” continued Duffy. 

DiLello has been on a tear recently as well, raising his batting average to .500 with eleven hits over his last six games, prompting his inclusion onto the D3 Baseball Team of the Week.  

“I’m seeing the ball well, anytime I can get on base or get a base hit and help our team win is a good thing, “ said DiLello. 

As all good things must do, the streak did come to an end against Wheaton Monday, with the Titans losing 15-4. The team won’t have to wait long to exact their revenge, however, as the team’s schedule has changed to include a previously canceled-due-to-weather rematch against Wheaton on April 18th. 

“As baseball players, especially in the Midwest, you’re gonna deal with weather, and situations where we gotta be able to adjust on the fly,” said DiLello. 

“It’s just about being able to go everyday. You know, if we’re supposed to play one day, that gets moved, we got practice this day, off day gets moved, We still gotta be ready to go,” continued DiLello.