Chicago, Ill.—The wind was blowing out of Les Miller Field at a vigorous pace, making Saturday's second game between the University of Illinois-Chicago baseball team and Trinity International University a tough one for pitchers.

Fortunately the Trojans (18-19) took advantage of the conditions and handed the Flames (23-18) a 15-13 defeat.

The game began in strong fashion for TIU, as they roughed up starter Don Phillis for seven runs in one-third of an inning. Phillis gave up a leadoff homer to junior Scott Lawson, and three batters later he allowed a two-run shot to senior Chris Harang. After two more hits and a pair of walks, he was relieved by Brad Riegler.

The UIC offense got Phillis off the hook, scoring 10 total runs during the third and fourth innings. A six-run fourth, capped by Rafael Garcia's go-ahead sacrifice fly, put UIC up 10-9.

But Trinity International was not done. Harang opened the top of the fifth with a single, followed by a single from senior Bryan Talbot and a walk by freshman Mike O’Neill. With bases loaded and nobody out, senior Troy Anderson was hit by a pitch and sophomore Kyle Keller followed with a walk. With bases still loaded, freshman Paul Wilson doubled to right to plate two more. The scoring surge was capped at five with Lawson’s sacrifice fly to centerfield. The Trojans took the field up 14-11, having rallied off losing pitcher Eric Wyman.

The Trojans padded their lead with another run on a Harang solo shot in the seventh.

In the bottom half of the seventh Melecio went deep again to get UIC within three.

The Flames threatened in the ninth. Melecio led off with a single and eventually scored on Jake Carr's RBI single. But with runners at the corners and Brett Schaefer at the dish representing the winning run, TIU right-handed junior Caleb Johnson induced the UIC slugger to hit a grounder to third that was converted into a game-ending double play.

The game marked the first time the TIU baseball program has recorded a victory over a NCAA Division 1 opponent. The Trojans will continue their season on Monday, April 28, as they host Lincoln Christian College at 3:00 p.m.

Written by John Jaramillo, with contributions by Tom Raven

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