Blythe’s Walk-Off Caps Comeback for Chargers vs. No. 17 Kankakee

GALESBURG — Trenton Blythe (LaHarpe, Ill./Notre Dame) came through with the game-winning hit in the seventh inning of Game 2, helping the Carl Sandburg College baseball team earn a split with 17^th-ranked Kankakee on Friday at the Hungate Baseball/Softball Complex and giving the Chargers their second walk-off win in as many days.

GAME 1
No. 17 Kankakee 14, Sandburg 5
Kankakee        220      213      4          —        14        13        3
Sandburg         000      001      4          —        5          8          4
L: Silas Israel 5 IP, 7 K, 1 BB

KEY MOMENT
The Cavaliers scored twice in each of the first two innings and led 10-0 entering the bottom of the sixth.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Mitch Ball (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) connected for a grand slam in the seventh inning.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Caileb Johnson (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield) — 1 for 2, walk, home run, two runs

GAME 2
Sandburg 9, No. 17 Kankakee 8
Kankakee        100      061      0          —        8          11        4
Sandburg         101      131      2          —        9          12        0
W: Chase Mason 1 IP, 3 K, 1 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• The Chargers scored in each of the final four innings, rallying back from down 7-3 entering the bottom of the fifth and 8-6 going into their half of the sixth.
• With one out in the seventh, Chase Mason (Washington, Ill./Washington) reached on an error, and Johnson followed with a double to put the winning run in scoring position.
• The Chargers tied the game as Logan Van Heuklon (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) reached on an error on a grounder to second. Cam Scott (Mapleton, Ill./Illini Bluffs) was intentionally walked to load the bases for Blythe, who fisted a 2-1 pitch into right-center to bring in Johnson for the game-winner. 

Trenton Blythe walks it off in Game 2 as the Chargers score 2 in the 7th to get a split against No. 17 Kankakee! ���� pic.twitter.com/vBp8ADw673

— Sandburg Chargers (@SandburgNJCAA) April 29, 2022

SANDBURG STANDOUT
In addition to scoring the winning run on Blythe's clutch hit, Johnson finished 4 for 4 with two doubles, a home run and three runs scored.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Blythe — 2 for 2, double, walk-off single
• Ball — 2 for 4, two home runs, three RBIs

WEEKEND GAMES WIPED OUT
Sandburg's final Arrowhead Conference doubleheader that was scheduled for Saturday against Kishwaukee was postponed to 2 p.m. Wednesday in Malta. The Chargers' magic number to clinch the eighth conference championship in program history is one. Sandburg's twinbill scheduled for Sunday at Bryant & Stratton was canceled.

DH TUESDAY VS. MADISON ADDED
The Chargers have added a doubleheader against No. 1 Madison to be played at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Illinois State's Duffy Bass Field. 

UP NEXT FOR SANDBURG
1 p.m. Friday vs. Kankakee

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