GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE (L-R): Justin Zeller and Drew Golz collected two hits each on Tuesday.

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - The Wheaton College baseball team shook off an early deficit by scoring two runs in the seventh inning and two runs in the ninth inning to defeat University of Chicago 6-4 on Tuesday.

The Thunder improve its record to 10-6 while the Maroons fall to 8-5.

Chicago struck first in the opening inning, scoring two runs with three-consecutive hits. Wheaton answered back in the top of the second with an RBI groundout by Alex MaLossi.

The hosts came back with a run-scoring double in the third inning to give themselves a 3-1 lead. The Thunder whittled away at the deficit again in the sixth. Sophomore Justin Swider came through with an RBI single through the left side to make it 3-2.

The seventh inning was when Wheaton finally seized the lead. A pair of walks from Chicago pitcher Alex Garcia started the frame and Justin Zeller tied the game up with a sacrifice fly. An error by the third baseman plated the go-ahead run.

However, Chicago started off the eighth inning with a triple and the runner came home the very next batter on a sacrifice fly. With the score knotted at 4-4, Wheaton reliever Matt MaLossi (PICTURED RIGHT) entered the game and struck out his first batter to strand a runner at second base.

Wheaton recaptured the momentum in the top of the ninth inning. Drew Golz stroked a one-out double down the left field line and Zeller's single moved him to third base. Trey Martin was then intentionally walked to load the bases for Austin Driggers. The senior catcher patiently worked the count full and drew an RBI walk to put the Thunder up 5-4. Alex MaLossi was the subsequent batter who found himself in an 0-2 hole after fouling off the first two pitches. But the freshman outfielder ended up working a full-count walk as well to score another run.

Matt MaLossi (1-2) finished off the game by putting the three batters down in order to secure the 6-4 victory. He struck out two in his 1-1/3 innings of relief.

Wheaton starter Jimmy McDonald ended up throwing 7-2/3 innings and cruised through the middle innings, retiring 11-straight batters at one point. McDonald allowed 10 hits while issuing no walks and striking out five.

The Thunder offense was held to eight hits, with only one for extra bases. Golz and Zeller were each 2-for-4 at the plate and Martin was 2-for-3 with two walks. Alex MaLossi ended up with two RBI.

The Maroons collected 10 hits and three errors. Jack Cinoman (1-1) took the loss on the mound in 2-1/3 innings, with two hits, two runs, three walks and three strikeouts.

Wheaton starts its conference schedule with a 5 PM home game versus Illinois Wesleyan University on Friday at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg. Livestats of Friday's game will be available HERE and an audio broadcast is available at this LINK.