Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College baseball team concluded its conference season hosting the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Wednesday night. In a tight, defense-first contest, Illinois Wesleyan earned a 4-3 win. With the victory, IWU swept the season series against the Thunder and left Wheaton's conference tournament hopes, while still likely, up in the air. IWU improves to 15-19 overall and 9-7 in CCIW play, while Wheaton moves to 16-20 and 9-11 in conference.

Both starters came out sharp, each allowing just one run through the first five innings. The Thunder threatened early thanks to a double from Jack Gill and a single from Will Clegg. On the single, Gill was thrown out at the plate on a bang-bang throw from the Titans' right fielder that one-hopped the catcher perfectly, saving a run.

Wheaton starter David Levengood (PICTURED LEFT) continued to cruise through the first three innings, allowing just one baserunner in each frame.

The hosts struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Two -consecutive walks and a single from Tyler Burr loaded the bases, and Mason Diel brought home Nathan Hedlund with a sacrifice fly. An inning-ending double play, however, limited the damage by the Thunder to just one run.

The Titans broke through in the top of the sixth, pushing across four runs. A ground-rule double with runners on first and second plated the first run, followed by an RBI-single. With runners on second and third, Levengood induced a soft ground ball and froze the next hitter with a 2-2 curveball for the second out. With two away, Illinois Wesleyan added two more runs on a line drive to right field, taking a 4-1 lead.

Those would be the only runs IWU would score in the game, as the Thunder bullpen held firm the rest of the way.

Wheaton made its push in the bottom of the eighth. A leadoff single from Nathan Hedlund started the Thunder rally, and a single from Burr along with a walk by Diel loaded the bases with one out. Gill delivered, driving a ball off the right field fence for a two-run double.

That would be all the Thunder could muster, as they were unable to bring home the tying run in the ninth inning.

Offensively, Wheaton tallied nine hits, hitting .300 on the day (9-for-30). They also drew three walks and struck out seven times. Burr and Gill led the way, with Burr going 3-for-4 with a run scored and Gill finishing 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.

On the mound, Levengood turned in a solid outing, going 5.2 innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits while striking out three and walking two. Jonah Moulton contributed a clean inning of relief, Billy Kessler added 1.2 innings with one strikeout, and JD Van Hook recorded the final outs, striking out one.

Wheaton will begin its final regular season series against the University of Chicago on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Lee Pfund Stadium.