Rain-Shortened Baseball Tournament Ends with Carthage Victory

KENOSHA, Wis. – The 2006 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Baseball Tournament saw two days of games cancelled and a move from a double to single elimination format. In the end, the Carthage Red Men continued its successful season with a 6-4 win over Illinois Wesleyan in Sunday’s championship game to win their sixth tournament title in school history.

The Red Men, winners of the regular season with a 19-2 conference record, claimed the CCIW’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. The 53-team field, along with regional sites, will be announced by the NCAA on Monday, May 15.

Saturday’s semifinal match-ups finally got underway after two days of rain in the Kenosha area cancelled the double elimination format. Carthage earned a 10-1 victory over North Park, while Illinois Wesleyan upset Augustana 4-1 in the second game.

In the championship game, Boe Baitinger went 2-for-5 with two runs, while Tyler Yapp went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Steve Rucks went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Jacob Husing picked up the win for Carthage, while Brandon Dubois took the loss for Illinois Wesleyan.

2006 CCIW Baseball Tournament

Saturday, May 13
Carthage 10, North Park 1
Illinois Wesleyan 4, Augustana 1

Sunday, May 14
Carthage 6, Illinois Wesleyan 4