Scots Sweep Ripon With Comeback Wins

Turnquist strikes out 10 in complete game win

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (04/20/2024) — The Monmouth College baseball team moved into fourth place with a pair of 3-2 home wins over Ripon on Saturday, including a game two walk-off win.. The Fighting Scots (14-12, 7-6) came from behind to win both games after strong pitching performances by Cade Sharp (Aledo, Illinois) and Toby Turnquist (Monmouth, Illinois).

"Toby was a bulldog today and came on after a slow start," said head coach Alan Betourne. "He was ready to go and proved today that he can be that guy. Cade did a great job and carried the momentum from his Monday start at Cornell and I think we all fed off that for some great team baseball."

Ripon scored in the top of the first inning with a double, single and RBI groundout against Sharp, The Scots put two on base in the third inning as AJ Freeman (Rock Island, Illinois) led off with a walk and Clayton Matkovic (Sherrard, Illinois) singled with one out. But with runners on second and third, Ripon got out of the inning with a 1-0 lead.

Both teams left runners at second over the next few innings and it was still 1-0 Red Hawks into the bottom of the seventh. Alexander Dye (Albuquerque, New Mexico) led off with a single and Nate Reed (Chenoa, Illinois) was hit by a pitch. Freeman beat out a sacrifice bunt and Dye came around to score when the throw from Ripon's pitcher sailed past first base. Aiden Scott (Carrollton, Texas) gave Monmouth a 2-1 lead with a sacrifice fly to right field as Reed scored and Freeman moved to third. Matkovic added a run with a sacrifice fly to center for a 3-1 lead.

"AJ had a perfect bunt for us and led to us getting the runs home," said Betourne. "Again, great team baseball with guys doing their jobs and that led to the wins today."

Roy Ralston (Macon, Illinois) took over on the hill for the Scots in the top of the eighth. A two-out double and single cut the Monmouth lead to 3-2. Monmouth escaped the inning after dropping a pop up but throwing out a runner at third base on the play.

Nick VIlla (El Segundo, California) took over on the mound in the ninth and got two quick outs before a single to right field put the tying run on base. A ground out to third bases ended the game and preserved a 3-2 Monmouth win.

Sharp (3-3) allowed one run over seven innings in the win. He gave up just two hits, both in the first inning, and struck out a career-high seven. Villa picked up his third save of the season and had a strikeout in his scoreless inning.

GAME TWO

Ripon scored twice in the top of the first against Turnquist. One run was earned and the other unearned as Turnquist escaped a bases loaded jam.

Jacob Blunck (Forsyth, Illinois) led off the third with a single and he moved to second on a wild pitch with two outs. Tyler Houck (Park Ridge, Illinois) reached on an error as Blunck scored to get the Scots on the board. Daniel Lummus (New Port Richey, Florida) tied the game with a double to left before Ripon got out of the inning.

The game remained 2-2 into the ninth inning as Turnquist notched his 10th strikeout. In the bottom of the ninth, Aidan Parkins (Monmouth, Illinois) doubled with one out and the Scots won the game on a single by Scott to right field.

"A great at-bat by Scott after a great AB from Blunck," said Betourne. "He shortened up with two strikes and drove it into right-center to Parkins home and I didn't even have to look to send him."

Turnquist (2-2) earned the win with a complete game. He allowed one earned run on six hits while walking two and striking out 10.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Matkovic has hit safely in 16 of the last 18 games Lummus has hit safely in 22 of 26 games this season Reed has been hit by a team-leading eight pitches this season Sharp has gone at least five innings in seven straight starts.He has at least four strikeouts in six outings this season With 37 career appearances on the mound Sharp is tied for ninth on Monmouth's career list with Joe Larkins (1999-2002) Turnquist had a career-high 10 strikeouts, a new high for any Monmouth pitcher this year Turnquist also had a career-high nine innings, the first 9-inning complete game for a Scots pitcher since AJ Hatlestad in 2022 The Scots are 2-5 when scoring four runs or less The Scots are 25-24 all-time against Ripon with a 4-6 record over the last 10 The Scots and Red Hawks play again at noon on Sunday and Monmouth will host Chicago at 4 p.m.