The College of DuPage baseball team played its home opener on March 5, defeating Illinois Valley Community College 9-8. The game was called after the Chaparrals took the lead in the bottom of the eighth due to darkness.
The game was tied at eight in the bottom of the eighth when Rocco Luciano delivered a double to score the go-ahead run.
It was a high-scoring affair as the Chaparrals collected 10 hits while the Eagles tallied 11. DuPage first got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Devin Kraft was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Zach Glidewell drew a walk to bring in another run, and Hudson Williams added a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
Carson Miller earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on two hits over 1â…“ innings while striking out one and walking one. Alex Ingram started on the mound for DuPage, pitching three innings and allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two and walking four.
Luciano led the Chaps at the plate with three hits in four at-bats from the eight spot in the lineup. Glidewell drove in two runs while going 1-for-2. Cullen Kleinsasser and Wilson Terrutty each added multiple hits. Andrew Speh showed patience at the plate with three walks as DuPage drew seven walks as a team.
After the home-opening win, head coach Pat Leahy said, "Yeah, it was a little bit funky with the game getting called due to darkness, obviously. But guys hung in there the whole ballgame. Any win is a good one, but wins at home are a little bit sweeter."
DuPage will host Harper College for a doubleheader on March 7. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12 p.m.
