BOXSCORE

Kenosha, Wis. – The Wheaton baseball team earned a dramatic 14-12 victory against Augustana on Friday in an elimination game of the 2009 CCIW Baseball Tournament. Today's win is Wheaton College's first-ever victory in the CCIW Baseball Tournament, which has been contested since 1985. This year's appearance in the tournament is the second time Wheaton has been in the four-team tournament, following a postseason appearance last year.

The Vikings led the Thunder 12-10 as Wheaton headed into the top of the ninth inning. The first two batters for the Thunder hit into outs, leaving the 'Orange and Blue' with just one out remaining. Pinch hitter Will Thompson drew a walk, followed by singles from Ryan Miller and Brian Kolb to load the bases. Freshman Justin Zeller singled through the middle of the infield to drive in two of the runners, tying the game at 12-12. Junior designated hitter Josh Weaver belted his third double of the game to drive in Kolb and Zeller to give Wheaton the 14-12 advantage.

Reliever Zach Fallon, who had already pitched 2-1/3 innings of relief when he came out for the bottom of the ninth. Viking leadoff batter John Wagle hit the ball solidly in between shortstop and second base, however, Kolb the Thunder shortstop made a tremendous play into the hole to throw out Wagle for the first out. Fallon induced a ground out to get the second out of the inning and the closed out the game by striking out Augustana's Aaron Hopson.

Wheaton scored 14 runs, on 18 hits, with five errors and Augustana plated 12 runs, on 14 hits, with one error. With the win, Wheaton (22-18) advances to Friday's second elimination game, against either Carthage or Illinois Wesleyan. Augustana concludes its season with a 23-17 record, ending its participation in the double-elimination tournament.

Thunder starting pitcher Steve Dennison worked 2-1/3 innings, allowing six runs, five of which were earned, on seven hits, with four strikeouts. John Pohl pitched 1-2/3 innings of relief, allowing one run, on one hit, with a strikeout. Senior Ed McCaskey pitched 1-1/3 innings, allowing five runs, on five hits, with a strikeout. Fallon (3-2) earned the win in 3-2/3 inning of strong relief. He held the Vikings to just one hit, with no runs, and three strikeouts.

Designated hitter Josh Weaver was 4-for-5 in the game, with three doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Freshman centerfielder Justin Zeller went 3-for-5, with three runs scored and four driven in. Freshman second baseman Ryan Miller was 2-for-4, with a double and two runs scored. Third baseman Mark Price was 2-for-5, with a run scored and a RBI.

Sophomore outfielder Charlie Antal was 2-for-5, with two home runs to give him 11 homers on the season. Antal's two round-trippers give him sole possession of Wheaton's single-season home run record. He entered the game in a tie for the record, with Dave Phillips' nine homers in 1993.